September 21, 2020

PIP Announcement: Higher Capitation Information Update

15.09.2020

The DCYA and Pobal have agreed the following measures to support providers whose applications for Higher Capitation in Programme Year 2020/2021 have not yet been approved:

Higher Capitation Preliminary Payments

Preliminary Payments to ELC Providers IN RECEIPT of Higher Capitation in 2019/2020

A second preliminary payment will be made on 18^th September to providers who have applied and have not yet been approved for Higher Capitation and who were in receipt of the first preliminary payment. The second preliminary payment will be for a four-week period that will take providers to 16/10/2020.

Any ELC Provider in receipt of Higher Capitation in 2019/2020 but who has not yet applied for 2020/21 and who received first preliminary payment will retain this until 16/10/2020.

All ELC Providers are encouraged to apply for HC as soon as possible.

A list of common queries is available here for your review. For any Higher Capitation application queries please contact highercap@pobal.ie

Qualifications

Proof of qualification eligibility must be submitted for each relevant staff member present in a Higher Capitation session. Prior to submitting an application, a service provider should ensure that staff members’ qualifications are eligible, by verifying these on DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications’ list.

If the qualification is not included on this list, the staff member should contact DCYA via email address eyqualifications@dcya.gov.ie to apply for qualification recognition.

Please see DCYA website https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/297c05-early-years-recognised-qualifications/?referrer=/cat/en/childcare/2210.htm/ for the application form and the documentation required by DCYA.

Please be advised that statements of results attached as qualification proof for staff members of Higher Capitation sessions, are only accepted when:

· QQI Level 5 and 6 qualifications are provided.

· The award is clearly confirmed

· Final results are confirmed (not provisional). If the statement of results is not clear on whether the award has been successfully completed, then further information should be requested to confirm (i.e. an official letter from the course provider). If an applicant is unable to confirm, they will have to apply for qualifications recognition.