Zappone confirms Childcare Programme Support Payments worth over €19m
Application window 13th May – 21st June 2019
Payments to issue end June
Thursday 21st March 2019
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone T.D., today announced details of the forthcoming Programme Support Payment (PSP), due to be made available to all early learning and care providers this summer.
Over €19m will be made available to early learning and care services under the measure from June 2019.
The payment will be calculated as equal to 7 days’ (1.4 weeks’) registrations for ECCE at Standard Capitation, and 14 days’ (2.8 weeks’) registrations for CCS(P) and TEC.
The application window for PSP will open for six weeks from Monday 13 May to Friday 21 June 2019 and the application form can be accessed through the Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP).
Payments will issue the following week.
The Programme Support Payment recognises the additional time required of providers of DCYA-funded early learning and care and school age childcare programmes, to complete the administrative work associated with the scheme. The payment also recognises the time required to perform activities outside of contact time with children, such as preparing materials for early learning and care sessions and assisting parents in understanding how they might benefit from the various childcare schemes supported by the State.
Making the announcement Minister Zappone said:
“For children, parents and providers 2019 is a hugely significant year with the launch of the National Childcare Scheme. As the countdown to October continues it is important that providers are supported to ensure that the biggest change ever undertaken in early learning and childcare becomes a reality. This investment, part of the 117% jump in Government funding since 2015, will help us build a scheme which will serve families in Ireland for generations to come. We have come a long way – and we must never go back!”
NB: Please note that the application window closing date (Friday 21 June 2019) is final, and that no applications for PSP will be admitted beyond this point under any circumstances.
