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You may be aware that from the 1st January 2016, Revenue changed their tax clearance application and verification systems. Paper Tax Clearance Certificates will no longer be issued for a 12 month period.
Revenue will move to providing for real-time ongoing tax clearance. This is to be known as eTax Clearance.
Minister James Reilly recently announced the Learner Fund 4. Learner Fund 4 will subsidise eligible courses leading to a major award at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Learner Fund 4 is opening for applications on Monday 25th January at 2pm, and will remain open until 10th March 2016.
Pre-school providers must submit an online application via their own PIP page, on behalf of their staff member, for a subsidised training course under the heading ‘Learner Fund 4’.
The Learner Fund, which is currently subsidising thousands of learners who applied in 2014, has re-opened for online applications.
To view eligibility for the ECCE programme for children born in 2012, 2013 and 2014, please click on the link to view how long a child is eligible to the ECCE programme.
WCCC have been advised by DCYA today that a refund of pre-school fees can take place for parents if their children meet the below criteria:
· Eligible for ECCE in 2015 and 2016 – (Children born between 01 January 2012 – 30 June 2012)
· Have been in attendance and fee paying for pre-school from September 2015
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has a dedicated email for#budget2016 questions.
Budget 2016 contains a number of important measures to improve childcare services, including an extension of free pre-school from 1 September next. Information about the main improvements are on our website, and we will shortly add a set of answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
The cost of childcare can be a significant barrier for parents wanting to take up work, education or training. Budget 2016 provides two initiatives focused on increasing the affordability of childcare, to lay the foundation for providing more affordable childcare to a broader range of families.
Quality matters for children. Budget 2016 funds a number of measures to build the quality of childcare provision, including:
During 2016, a suite of supports will be phased in to enable children with disabilities fully participate in, and reap the benefits of, quality pre-school care and education.
From September 2016, every child in Ireland will be able to start pre-school at age three, and to remain in pre-school until they start primary school.
Tuesday 13th October, 2015
Dr. James Reilly TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has announced a major package of childcare measures as part of Budget 2016.
Easy Guide to Childcare Funding Programmes.
WCCC have been advised that the ECCE Higher Capitation application process for the 2015/16 Programme call is now open. Please be aware of the link between this process and the list of DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications as published at www.dcya.ie
The Dept of Children & Youth Affairs has just published its list of Recognised Early Years Qualifications, for the purposes of (a) meeting the minimum requirement in the pending childcare Regulations and (b) meeting the contractual requirements for DCYA Childcare Programmes.
Statement
Ireland Fight for the Future Campaign believe that inclusion in Ireland for preschool children should represent the values, beliefs, policies and practices which support each child regardless of ability to access and participate fully in all aspects of their lives and within their communities. Inclusive practice is embedded in reciprocal relationships, promoting a sense of well-being and identity and belonging for child, family and pedagogues. One of the main features which encourages and promotes inclusion for young children is the right to access, quality affordable early childhood education and care. There is currently no universal Government funding to support children with special needs accessing the ECCE Scheme to participate fully in mainstream preschool. Research including the National Disability Authority 2012, the National Council for Special Education 2013, the National Policy Framework for children and young people 2014- 2020 all agree that early intervention is cost effective and beneficial to society.
The Guidance on Specialist Supports has been issued, is available to read on the Change Hub www.hseland.ie and will shortly be available to read on www.hse.ie. It was developed under this programme by a Working Group and through consultation, with contributions from parents and clinicians bringing a wide range of experience and expertise. The Guidance outlines the need for specialist support for a small number of children whose specific needs require a level of expertise which may not solely be met by the Children’s Disability Network Team or Primary Care services.
Parent letters, Service letters and FAQ documents are now available to download from your PIP homepage for each of the three DCYA schemes. Please take time to read through all of these documents prior to beginning the registration process.
Minister James Reilly has today announced that almost €7 million in capital funding has been allocated through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to 2,415 grantees nationwide.
Update regarding the next steps in the Reporting process for EYC 2015 strand 4 grants.
The ECCE advance (1st) payment will be lodged into bank accounts by Friday 28th August 2015. For services who previously participated in the ECCE programme, the payment will be made for 8 weeks based on last years numbers. For new services into the ECCE programme, it will be based on 3 children for 8 weeks.
DCYA have postponed the commencement of minimum qualification requirements for pre-school. For full details please click here -
DCYA HAVE TODAY ANNOUNCED THEY WILL POSTPONE THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT TO SEPTEMBER 2016.
The ACP is organising three provincial rallies in Connaught/Ulster, Leinster and Munster as part of our Fair Pay Campaign.
Minister Reilly launches ‘Better Start, the National Early Years Quality Development Service’ initiative to promote and enhance quality of early childhood care and education.
This year, while Fee Payment Policies (FPPs) have not changed in format*, the FPPs will be administered through the PIP System. Service Providers will be required to upload their FPP (including calendar and parent letter) on PIP, Westmeath CCC will begin the approval process.
The previous annual re-contracting process for the childcare programmes has been replaced this year by ‘re-entry’ through the submission of 2015/16 Fee Payments Policies (FPP) on the PIP System.
New DCYA Childcare Programme Contract Applications comprise of applications from childcare services that have not previously participated in any of the relevant childcare programmes OR from services that have previously participated in one or more of the childcare programmes but now wish to apply to participate in another
For the latest update regarding the September cut off point for staff qualifications, please click here:Learner Fund
Please remember that the option for CCS appeals closes next Monday the 20th April at 5pm. There will be no facility to lodge an appeal after this deadline so it is very important that you review each application on PIP and ensure the correct band has been approved.
DCYA has secured €7 million for Early Years Capital Programme 2015 (EYC2015). EYC2015 is open to early years settings currently providing services under at least one of the three Department of Children & Youth Affairs National Government programmes, Community Childcare Subvention (CCS), Training Education Childcare (TEC) or Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
Irish Autism Action is Announcing a New Intervention Programme
for Young Children with Autism and Their Families.
Bob Keating, Principal of St. Brigid’s School Mullingar is giving this presentation sharing his practical experience with you and giving practical solutions and addressing theory and recent developments.
Community Childcare Services have received preliminary CCS payments up until the end of March 2015.
Balancing payments will be made at the end of March following the announcement of CCS Band Eligibility Approvals.
Better Start National Early Years Quality Development is a national initiative of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) collaborating with the Early Years Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills (DES),
The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) Programme is administered by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs.
The Learner Fund will re-open for applications again for a two week period (exact dates to be confirmed).