The application process for Core Funding is now available to complete on the Early Years Hive.
Technical guidelines, applicant guidelines and a checklist are available to assist with the application. Members should familiarise themselves with these guidelines. A core funding webinar is available on the Early Years Hive.
DCEDIY has developed an FAQ for core funding.
Interim Funding
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has issued a letter to providers concerning the Employment Regulation Orders and the commencement of Core Funding on 1 September.
Core Funding is contingent on the EROs being in place across the sector, if no EROs are agreed and signed off on then Core Funding will not commence. DCEDIY hopes that this will not be the case, but have announced an Interim Funding scheme should Core Funding be unable to commence as planned on 1 September. Interim Funding scheme will be available and will operate from 1 September 2022 until such time as the EROs comes into effect, or the 30 September 2022, whichever is sooner.
How do services apply for interim funding?
No application is needed, but to avail of Interim Funding, Partner Services have to have completed the Core Funding application process and accepted the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
How is it calculated?
The calculation of Interim Funding will be made up of three elements: an allocation for capacity, an allocation for graduates and an allocation for administration using information which is already available. Further information is available in the Interim Funding FAQ.
What should I do now?
If you wish to avail of Core Funding, or the Interim Funding should Core Funding not come into effect, you should continue to fill out your application for Core Funding and accept the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement. To receive an advance payment under whichever agreement is in effect, the funding agreement will need to be accepted by Monday 22 August 2022. Any Partner Service which accepts the funding agreements on or before Wednesday 31 August 2022 will receive payment for the full duration of the agreement, although the payment may not issue in advance.
Full FAQs are available, and you can contact our EYES at eyes@earlychildhoodireland.ie if you have any queries.
Timeline
Services which have submitted an application and signed the Core Funding Partner Services Agreement(s) by Monday, 22 August 2022 will receive their first payment in time for the 2022/2023 programme year.
Complete Core Funding application by this date to receive your first payment in advance, before the start of the 2022-2023 programme year
Complete Core Funding application by this date to receive all payments on a monthly basis for the 2022-2023 programme year.
Applications for Core Funding covering the programme year 2022/2023 will be accepted up until the end of June 2023, however funding will not be backdated to the beginning of the programme year. Funding will only issue from the date the grant agreement for Core Funding is signed.
Supports
Your Local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC) can provide individual support in completing your application.
Members can raise a service request on the Early Years Hive or by contacting Pobal’s Early Years provider centre by email eypc@pobal.ie or by phone on (01) 511 7222.
Members can contact Early Childhood Ireland by emailing eyes@earlychildhoodireland.ie with any questions related to Core Funding.