Minister O’Gorman launches Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today launched the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024 as part of the Government’s
FAR regulatory requirement extension to November 2021
Please be informed that due to the ongoing pandemic, Tusla has provided an extension to FAR regulatory requirement for all registered Early Learning and Care (ELC), School Age Childcare (SAC) and Childminders (CM) providers.
Tusla will therefore align their regulatory activity with this extension and only commence inspecting against this requirement from 1st November 2021. At that time, Tusla will expect at least one person(s) to have successfully undertaken the First Aid Response (FAR) course to be available to children at all times in a service and will inspect services on that basis.
Please see link below for further Tusla communications on this regulatory extension.
https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-pre-school-inspection-services/first-aid-training-in-early-years-services/
FAR reimbursement extension to 31st October
Due to Covid-19 pandemic public health restrictions, the practical training element of FAR courses were put on hold, as a result Tusla and the Dept of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) have agreed to extend the reimbursement timeframe to meet this regulatory requirement to 31st October 2021.
To support services to meet their regulatory requirement the DCEDIY has extended and altered the FAR Reimbursement Fund which will fund one FAR first aid training place per registered ELC, SAC and CM, to a maximum of €225 per full course or €175 per refresher course.
Key Points to remember in completing a FAR Reimbursement Application to WCCC
Things to consider prior to engaging in FAR training
Before undertaking in FAR training Registered Providers should ensure the following:
Claiming partial subsidy:
If you applied for partial reimbursement on completion of online theory training, and you have now completed the practical element of the course, providers can apply to Wicklow CCC for the remaining amount of 1/3 course cost, by submitting a copy of PHECC accredited FAR certificate.
This FAR reimbursement is an opportunity for you as a Tusla registered provider to access financial support to meet this regulatory requirement, you are entitled to it so we would strongly encourage you to avail of it.
Please note there will be no extension by the DCEDIY to support funding beyond 31st October 2021.
Please complete FAR Reimbursement Form and return to:
Wicklow CCC, Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town, Co Wicklow A67 ND90
Please contact WCCC on 0404 64455 for further information.
Application Form