Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
467. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm the policy for the refund of deposits for ECCE places in childcare facilities; if these deposits should be refunded if a parent gives ample notice of intention to relocate the child to another facility commencing in September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35909/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn ECCE Approved Provider must give an accurate description and the total cost of any deposit requested on its Fee Table.
An ECCE Approved Provider may charge a refundable booking deposit to hold an ECCE place for a child. The maximum deposit a provider may charge is equivalent to 4 weeks ECCE payment. This must appear on the Fee Table.
The full ECCE deposit must be returned to the Parent/Guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the EY HIVE. If a service is holding a legacy deposit from when the child first started attending the service that exceeds 4 times the weekly ECCE capitation amount for a child that has been attending that service prior to their commencement on ECCE, and has not collected a separate ECCE deposit, the ECCE Approved Provider must return up to €276 of that deposit to the Parent/Guardian once the child’s ECCE registration has been approved on the EY HIVE. The deposit must be returned in full in one instalment, once the registration is approved.
The ECCE Approved Provider shall retain all financial records relating to deposits from Parents/Guardians and evidence of return.
Failure to comply with any of the ECCE Rules may result in the suspension of ECCE funding and/or DCDE funding or part thereof may be withdrawn and/or a termination of the ECCE Funding Agreement.
