Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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625. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a matter regarding the case of a childcare centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44897/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme are available year-round, and most are renewable on an annual basis.

However, on the NCS parent portal, there is a difference between renewing an application and beginning a brand new application.

A parent can choose to renew their current NCS award within the six week renewal window. Where a parent completes their application renewal within the application window, their current NCS award will continue until its expiry date, and the new CHICK will be valid immediately after this date. This means that there is no gap in subsidy when an award is renewed in good time.

To renew an application, a parent should log in to the NCS parent portal, select the 'My Applications' section to view their submitted applications. Here, a parent can select their currently-active application and select the refresh button to begin the renewal process.

It appears based on the new information provided that the applicant opted to commence a new application rather than renew their existing award. As one family obviously cannot have two active awards, when an applicant receives a new award, this will invalidate their current NCS award at the end of the week. If the new CHICK is not registered with a childcare provider, the payment of subsidies will cease with the expiry of the old CHICK.

Whether a parent completes a renewal or a brand new application, in either case they will receive a notification from the NCS system informing them of the next steps they are required to take in order to avail of their subsidy.

The NCS Parent Support Centre remains available to assist parents and can be contacted on 01 906 8530.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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626. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the reassurance or assistance that will be provided in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45138/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Key policy objectives of my Department is to improve affordability, accessibility and quality of early learning and care and school-age childcare. A 117% increase in investment over the last number of years has led to a doubling in the number of children receiving free or subsidised early learning and care and school-age childcare. It has also supported the sector to increase the number of places available – by up to 60 percent.

First 5, the ten-year whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families pledges to build on this progress. Among key strategic actions in First 5 is a commitment to 'maintain and extend the supply of high-quality publicly subsidised early learning and care and school-age childcare to best serve the developmental needs of babies and young children, ensuring that it also reflects the needs and preferences of parents and families'.

To deliver on this strategic action, a range of actions are under way, including an update of the National Planning Guidelines for the development of early learning and care and school-age childcare settings, the extension of regulation to all paid, non-relative childminders on a phased basis and  the development of a strategic capital investment plan to deliver large-scale capital investment under Project 2040. There is also a commitment to strengthen capacity to accurately forecast supply and demand for early learning and care and school-age childcare.

Supply of, and demand for, early learning and care and school-age childcare places is currently monitored annually through the Early Years Sector Profile. This survey is conducted by Pobal on behalf of my Department.

The most recent published report of findings from this survey is on 2019 data. This reveals that the current supply of early learning and care and school-age childcare broadly meets parental demand. However, there is some evidence of capacity issues in certain areas and for certain age groups.

The following table shows the capacity in County Monaghan.

There are currently 58 early learning and care and school-age childcare services in Monaghan that are in contract with my Department. Those experiencing difficulties accessing a service can contact Monaghan County Childcare Committee who may be able to provide assistance.