Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1665. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to crèches refusing to participate in the universal child care subsidy citing legal advice; the steps her Department is taking to address crèches concerns in respect of the contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37896/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am committed to ensuring that childcare is affordable, accessible and of a high quality.

The increase in supports I have provided from this month for the next programme year represents a major step towards accessible affordable quality childcare after decades of neglect and under-investment by successive Governments.

There are two supports being rolled out under the Community Childcare Scheme. These include universal (non means tested) supports of up to €1,040 per year, and enhanced supports of up to €7,500 per year to assist families to return to employment and/or training and education.

I am pleased to inform the Deputies that as of 7 September 2792 services are in contract to provide CCS Plus.

This represents over 75% of eligible providers, based on the numbers of providers who have previously contracted with the Department (excluding those who only provide the ECCE scheme). That number continues to rise.

I am aware that some providers have expressed concerns around the administration of the new measures, I announced in recent months payments totalling €3.5 million towards “non-contact time” for all childcare providers who register for the enhanced childcare measures under the Community Childcare Scheme. These payments range from €28 per child for the universal scheme up to as much as €203 per child registered on the more targeted supports. This, in addition to €14.5m that has been already paid to childcare services so far in 2017 in recognition of administration associated with ECCE and other schemes, provides for €18m in "non-contact time" payments this year.

I am also aware that a small number of providers have expressed concerns about lack of clarity on contracts. Some have claimed the contracts have not yet been provided. Grant Agreements (which contain the terms and conditions) have been available to all providers since 19 May 2017. The 17/18 version of the rules of all childcare schemes were published on 24 July 2017. There were no fundamental changes made to the rules of the schemes, which were already familiar to providers through the previously named "DCYA Childcare Funding Programme Information and Frequently Asked Questions” document.

My Department will also be procuring an external consultant to prepare guidelines and support documents for providers in the coming months in order to assist the providers in meeting the financial reporting requirements as already laid out in the above documents.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1666. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of crèches that have signed the contract for the new universal childcare subsidy; the number of contracts waiting to be processed by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37897/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that as of 7 September, 2,792 services are in contract to provide Community Childcare Scheme Plus (CCS Plus).

The Universal Provision along with the targeted provisions are provided under this arm of the Community Childcare Scheme.

This represents over 75% of eligible providers, based on the numbers of providers who have previously contracted with the Department (excluding those who only provide the ECCE scheme).

Any service who was previously in contract for any of my Department’s childcare schemes can renew their contract via an online system (“PIP”); this process is virtually instantaneous. The vast majority of providers are in this position.

A small number of providers are required to provide a paper based application to verify their eligibility; this verification includes a check that they have registered appropriately with Tusla as required under the childcare regulations. There are currently around 50 applications on hand with the Department, however as the applications are taken through the local City and County Childcare Committees there may be additional applications in process. My Department works to ensure that these applications are turned around as quickly as possible.