Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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980. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the steps involved in making a complaint to Pobal in respect of an alleged breach of Core Funding; and if it is possible for complainants to remain anonymous. [13748/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Pobal operate as Scheme Administrator for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) funded early learning and childcare schemes. Pobal operate a complaints function which can be accessed by any individual by email or in writing, via post, through complaints@pobal.ie or Complaints Coordinator, Pobal, Zone C, Clonmore, Co. Westmeath, N91 E1WD. Pobal’s complaints policy is available here: here.

In particular, in relation to Core Funding Fee Management, individuals may seek to have issues examined and a conclusion reached through the Core Funding Fee Review process operated through City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs), Pobal and the DCEDIY. An individual may initiate this process by contacting their local CCC. The CCC will notify and obtain permission from the initiator before escalation of the case to Pobal.

The Fee Management Review process aims to protect the anonymity of the initiator from the Partner Service to whom their complaint relates. CCCs, Pobal and DCEDIY will at each stage protect the anonymity of initiators where possible, however anonymity cannot always be guaranteed given the variability in size of services and specific nature of individual cases. Where anonymity is to be protected, any documents issued between CCCs, Pobal and/or the DCEDIY will flag confidentiality in the subject line. All anonymous complaints about specific services received by CCCs will be recorded and brought to the attention of Pobal complaints team.

To support services, parents/guardians and the CCC’s, the Department will imminently publish 'Guidelines to support Fee Management' and an 'Overview of the Core Funding Fee Review Process'. These documents provide examples to assist with understanding of the new fee management conditions and review process. These documents will be circulated to the CCC’s and services and available to all online once published.

I would encourage any parent or person with concerns or questions about fees to contact their local CCC for support and guidance, contact details available here: www.myccc.ie/where-is-my-nearest-ccc