Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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716. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a school (details supplied) has not paid back the deposit to persons after the school removed their children from the school after a number of weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32696/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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While I am unable to give a reason why this particular childcare provider has not returned the deposit, I can confirm that following the receipt of correspondence in this office from the Deputy, a letter, dated 8th February, was issued to the service in question requesting that they return the deposit to the children's parents.

This letter was then followed up with a phone call from a Department official on 29th March and a further email from my Department on 12th April.

The rules of the ECCE programme clearly state that a service may request a deposit from parents to secure a place but that this deposit must be returned to the parents once the registration is approved on the online registration system.

Given that it appears that provider has still not returned the fee, we will again remind them of the terms of the scheme.