In light of the recent communication from the Government regarding the closure of childcare facilities until 29th March, 2020 due to Covid-19, we wish to inform you of the following;
Pobal service delivery:
While Pobal plan to provide a full business as usual service, given the changing nature of the situation, our main objective will be to ensure that payments are made to Service Providers for all schemes for the duration of the closures.
Better Start:
All Better Start service visits have been suspended until such time as services re-open.
Any queries in relation to the following areas can be sent to the subsequent email addresses;
- Better Start Quality Development Service – can be emailed to quality@betterstart.ie.
- AIM support queries – can be emailed to aimrenewal@pobal.ie
- General queries – can be emailed to enquiries@betterstart.ie.
AIM L3 (Hanen Teacher Talk) training has been suspended as of 12th March 2020 and will be re-scheduled once the advised restrictions are lifted. Queries can be directed to AIMtraining@betterstart.ie
Please note, NSAI Aistear and Play training has also been suspended as of 12th March 2020 and will be re-scheduled once the advised restrictions are lifted. Queries can be sent to NSAI@betterstart.ie
Force Majeure:
Service Providers are not required to submit a force majeure application for the period of the Covid19 closure, to March 29th.
Payments:
Payments relating to ECCE, CCSP and TEC will continue as normal.
NCS returns will not be generated on the HIVE to Service Providers, but Pobal will make weekly payments based on approved valid claims/registrations. All invalid claims should be amended by today to ensure payments are made through the closure period.
Registrations:
Service Providers will not be permitted to submit any new registrations from 11.59pm on 12th March, for the period of closure. Service Providers are encouraged to ensure that all ECCE and NCS registrations are up to date as of today’s date.
Compliance:
In light of service provider closures, compliance visits have being suspended. They will recommence when services are reopened.
For all other queries please contact the Early Years Provider Centre on 01 5117222 or email eypc@pobal.ie
NOTE: Our phone line will remain open this evening until 7pm to answer any queries.
We will keep you posted as the situation develops.
Early Years Team
