Dear Service
As you know Core Funding is a new strand of funding for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services which forms part of the new DCEDIY funding model ‘Together for Better’.
Two key conditions of the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreements are the requirements for Partner Service (PSs) to complete transparent and validated financial reports and a Quality Action Plan (QAP) each year.
The Department now invites you to engage in the initial process of developing the Chart of Accounts (COA) that is the first step in creating the reporting templates that will be the building blocks of the Core Funding Partner Service’s Annual Financial Reporting Return. This engagement process will involve a number of consultation sessions.
CCCs have been asked to host regional consultation sessions, you are invited to participate in one being jointly hosted by Roscommon/Longford/Galway/Westmeath CCCs at a number of venues across the CCC areas at different times between 19th-21st June and are open to all Partner Services in these CCC areas. Places are limited at sessions.
A COA is a financial organisation tool that provides an index of every item in an accounting system. This will make the financial reporting easier for services to complete and for the Department to interpret. A draft COA has been developed by the department to assist with the process of Partner Services providing detailed, transparent, validated financial data as part of the contractual obligations under Core Funding. The purpose of this consultation is to gather your feedback and to assist you in adapting to this new process.
There are two parts to the sessions:
- Core Funding Quality Action Plan (QAP) – As the Core Funding Quality Action Plan is a new process for all Partner Services, the Department wishes to gather your feedback on and experience of the year 1 (2022/23), so that improvements can be made for year 2 (2023/24).
- Chart of Accounts (COA) – We would like to hear your views on this draft initial development of a Chart of Accounts which will provide the basis of the Early Years Sector Financial Reporting Return and if this COA will support transparent reporting on the financial incomings and outgoings of your service.
The details of the consultation session you are invited to are as follows:
| Date | Time | Venue Address & Eircode |
| 19/06/2023 (Monday) Limited places available | 2.30pm – 4.30pm | Abbey Hotel, Roscommon Town, Roscommon Eircode: F42F992 Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Light refreshments will be served |
| 20/06/2023 (Tuesday) Limited places available | 7.00pm – 9.00pm | Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway Eircode: H91 D526 Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Light refreshments will be served |
| 21/06/2023 (Wednesday) Limited places available | 7.00pm – 9.00pm | Mullingar Park Hotel, Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Eircode: N91A4EP Tea/Coffee/Sandwiches/Light refreshments will be served |
We apologise for the short notice at such a busy time, but it is important that Partner Services contribute to these consultations to ensure your views are considered in the development of these reporting processes from an early stage.
If you are interested in attending a consultation session or require further information, please complete an expression of interest through this link
https://forms.office.com/e/1WbAxYYFd8
Your local CCC will then confirm your place by return email, alternatively contact your local CCC on info@westmeathchildcare.ie
If you are unable to attend the session at your nearest venue and you want to attend another session please also call us and we will try to facilitate you at another session if we can.
