Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Childcare Services

Photo of Kathleen FunchionKathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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601. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to recoup the 15% sustainability only being paid to childcare and early years providers. [9664/20]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government.

I am acutely aware of the particular impact the pandemic and the emergency measures have had on childcare providers. I am also very conscious of the importance of childcare sector, particularly in the context of the current conditions and with a view to supporting the economy as we move beyond this crisis.

Recognising this, the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) was launched on April 15th.

The aim of the TWSCS is threefold:

- to support the sustainability of the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Sector so that it is in a position to reopen after COVID-19;

- to provide parents with a reassurance that they are not required to pay fees during this COVID-19 crisis, while providing them with reassurance that they will maintain places for their children;

- and to give Early Learning and Care Educators security and retain these vital Educators in the sector.

To achieve this, the Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme provides funding towards a portion of staff wages and services' overhead costs. Details of how to sign up have been made available through the Pobal programme platform used by childcare providers.

My Department recognises the importance of robust oversight of Exchequer funding. This includes ensuring that funds provided under the TWSCS are used for purposes intended: to meet employee pay costs in conjunction with the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and to meet ongoing overhead costs. Where the funding provided is not used for these purposes, it may be appropriate to recoup. Extensive information on the use of this funding has been provided to the sector, so that it can be used to meet services' costs effectively. My Department will take a reasonable and supportive approach to assessing the use of funding provided to services in this difficult time.

The TWSCS builds on the wider provisions by Government and also recognises the unique place and importance of the childcare sector. Further supports and funding are available from my Department including the Programme Support Payment, which will be paid to eligible services in June. Services may also be eligible for the Restart Grant for Small Business, administered by Local Authorities, and for other supports from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

I would also note there are supports available to improve the sustainability of services during normal times, and these remain available to services which may still be facing regular challenges on top of the difficulties imposed by the pandemic.

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