Childcare Services

Tuesday, 2 December 2025

Ceisteanna (467)

Ciarán Ahern

Ceist:

467. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on a complaint regarding the breach of core funding rules by a service provider (details supplied); the length of time this complaint took to be concluded at Stage 1 and Stage 2; the length of time the complaint has been at Stage 3; the timeline for the full resolution of the complaint; the precise steps that will be taken to ensure that parents are refunded the monies they are owed in the event that the complaint is upheld; to specifically confirm the steps that will be taken to ensure that parents are refunded in the event that the service provider refuses to repay them itself and does not do so within the prescribed timeframe; the resources currently allocated to resolving this complaint including the number of staff members considering it and the hours spent reviewing it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67277/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I am aware that there is an active fee review with regard to the service in question. However, as this case is currently on going, I am unable to disclose any details.

While I cannot comment on this individual case, I can say that Department officials are endeavouring to complete this review as soon as they possibly can after a complete and thorough examination.

A concrete timeline is not possible as no one fee review is the same. It is fully dependant on the gathering of information and communications with all parties

If a service is found to in breach of Core Funding rules either at Stage 2 or on appeal, the service is sent out a final decision which includes remedial actions and a declaration of actions carried out. Both of these have to be completed within 60 working days after the notification of final decision. If a Service Provider is found not to have completed the remedial actions, they are then subject to sanctions brought by the Department

Further information on general remedial actions and sanctions can be found in the Fee Review Process - Guidelines for 2025/2026 Programme Year, published in September 2025. These are publicly available on the Early Years Hive, from your local City and County Childcare Committee or from the Department.