These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week 19th to 23rd December 2022.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Monday 2nd January 2023
Increase of NCS subsidies
Friday 13th January 2023
AIM Level 7 extension applications ONLY
Friday 27th January 2023 @ 5 pm
Deadline for submission of December 2022 (FIR’s) The Finance and Impact returns
Increase of Minimum NCS subsidy rate
From 2 January 2023, the minimum rate for NCS subsidies will increase from €0.50 to €1.40. The increase means that if parents are in receipt of a subsidy which is less than the maximum, they will receive a higher subsidy towards their childcare fees. Service providers do not need to modify the claim if the hours are remaining the same, but service providers will have to recalculate co-payment and issue new parental agreements. To assist with identifying which NCS claims in your service have been impacted, a new page called ‘Budget 2023 Claims affected’ is available on the Early Years Hive. This page is available under the Registration menu on Hive and will display the claims that will change during the uplift process. Guidance can be found here: https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/how-to-guides/how-to-guides-ncs/registrations-ncs/. To help services with the additional admin work services have two months to create and sign new Parental Agreements. Therefore, the deadline for new parental agreements for uplifted claims is 02/03/2023.
Parental agreement
Pobal has developed a new semi-automated Parental Agreement. This new feature is available on the ‘Parental Agreement and Co-payment” section of NCS claim on NCS Registrations. Guidance can be found here: https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/how-to-guides/how-to-guides-ncs/compliance-ncs/
Service providers may continue to use the previous version of the parental agreement for NCS, with the new subsidy calculated.
AIM Level 7 – Extension deadline
If there is a child attending your service who had an approved AIM Level 7 application during the 2021/22 programme call, please ensure you submit an AIM Level 7 extension application before 13 January 2023. Applications must be submitted via the Early Years Hive.
Programme – AIM Level 7, Request Type – Application, Request Type – How to
A guide to assist is available on hive – Resources – Better Start/AIM Guides
The Finance and Impact returns (FIRs) for December 2022 are available for completion on Pobal Online.
The DCEDIY would like to emphasise the importance for all community services to continue to complete and submit FIRs to Pobal. These returns provide essential information that allows DCEDIY and Pobal to identify and help services to resolve problems. They also act as an informative tool for services in the effective planning of their financial future. The deadline for submission for December 2022 FIR’s is 5pm on Friday the 27th January 2023. If you require any assistance in completing the return please complete a service request on the HIVE, selecting the FIRs as the category and sub-category of the request.
The development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht
The Department of Education is carrying out a public consultation to inform the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht.
Written submissions can be sent to POLG@education.gov.ie before Monday, 16 January 2023, which is also the final date for submission of questionnaire responses. Further information, and a link to the questionnaire, is available on the following website: gov.ie/POLG
Online consultation New Ten-Year National Strategy on Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy
The DCEDIY are inviting service providers and parents to have your say on the development of a new ten-year National Strategy on Literacy, Numeracy & Digital Literacy. Individuals or organisations can submit their ideas via the online survey link at https://forms.h2.ie/LNDLconsultation
Individuals and organisations can send a longer written submission to LNDLconsultation@h2.ie
The closing date for submissions is the 3rd of February 2023. Further information can be accessed here: gov.ie – Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy Consultation (www.gov.ie)
Service calendar changes for ECCE & CCSP Saver programme
Service providers are reminded that changes to service calendars must be first approved by County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and parents must be given 20 working days’ notice in writing of any change to the service’s calendar.
Copies of such notices must be kept on file for compliance purposes.
For further information on service calendars, please contact us at Cork county Childcare Committee or refer to the ECCE service calendar and the CCSP service calendar guidance pages available on the Hive.
Covid case advice
ELC and SAC providers and Childminders that have positive cases and require support can contact the HSE ELC/SAC dedicated helpline on 01 511 9777.
For general Covid-19 queries you can contact HSE live on 1800 700 700 or 01 240 8787 or visit the First 5 website for the most up to date information and guidance. (www.first5.gov.ie)
Should you have any queries on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0449335454 info@westmeathchildcare.ie
