DCYA Announcement on COVID-19 and Programme Readiness 2020/21

COVID-19

The DCYA are working towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and care facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.  The lifting of restrictions and the progression to each stage of this roadmap is dependent on the containment of the COVID-19 virus.

Working closely with the DCYA, Pobal are preparing our systems – PIP and the Early Years Hive to support the range of measures in relation to funding that may be introduced in coming weeks.

As a result of COVID 19 restrictions, it does mean that we are currently not in a business as usual model, that being said we do invite you to make preliminary preparations for Programme Readiness 2020/2021.

The DCYA and Pobal look forward to building on the very constructive engagement we have had with the sector during this challenging time for our country.

Programme Readiness 2020/21

The first step in Programme Readiness 2020/21 is the launch of the on-boarding process on EYP for NCS and ECCE, and on PIP for CCSP Savers and TEC Savers on 2nd June, 2020.

We are asking PAUs (Primary Authorised Users) for your organisation to set up accounts on the Early Years Hive if you haven’t used it before and to ensure that your organisation details are up to date on both the HIVE and PIP.

These readiness tasks include:

• PAU Certification
• Organisation details certification
• Service details certification

For Service Providers who have not previously on-boarded onto the Early Years Hive, this can be completed following the steps in the Quick Guides and Useful Links or following the videos on the NCS YouTube channel. Guidance on on-boarding on PIP can be found in this How-to Guide.

At this is the initial phase of programme readiness, only activities associated with on-boarding can be completed. This includes updating the following: PAU (Primary Authorised User), Organisation details, bank account, portal users, service provider details, Tusla registration, service calendar and fees list. Notes: service calendars and fees lists will be available for CCSP Savers and TEC Savers at a later date.

As we move through the Phases of reopening, we will keep you informed as to when the full suite of programme readiness and contracting processes will be available. We will give you additional information at that time on your requirements and relevant opening and closing dates.

Programme Support Payment (PSP) 2020/21

Programme Support Payments (PSP) will open for applications on PIP from Friday May 29 until Friday June 12 2020; the payments will issue after the application process ends.
A more detailed notice for PSP is available on the PIP Portal and a ‘How to Guide’ including screen shots explaining how to apply through the service provider portal is attached here.

Late applications for PSP will not be accepted.

If a service does not wish to apply, then the advance payment must be returned. Please contact eypc@pobal.ie to make arrangements to return the payment.