Information for Parents – Child Safeguarding Statement and Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

A reminder of the Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC providers– 1800 940341 is available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm at the weekend
Reminder that the deadline for applications for the Grant Programme for Improved Ventilation and Outdoor Play 2021 is TODAY Friday 7th January 2022 at 5pm.
Full Time & Part time Vacancies****
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Last updated on
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., today announced an open call seeking submissions on the planned reform of the Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS).
The YSGS was established in the 1980s to allocate funding to organisations providing universal services to children and young people.
Currently, the YSGS funds 30 National Youth Organisations, which includes for example, Foróige, the National Youth Council of Ireland and Youthwork Ireland. The scheme is being reviewed to ensure that the funding invested in it annually (€12.2m in 2021) continues to respond to the ever evolving needs of children and young people.
DCEDIY has conducted preliminary consultations with young people and organisations currently accessing funding under the YSGS. In issuing this open call for submissions, DCEDIY is now seeking input from individuals, groups and organisations with an interest in this scheme, and its objectives, in order to broaden the range of views prior to the start of the reform process.
Individuals, groups or organisations with an interest in the YSGS, or its reform, are encouraged to make a submission by completing the submission template, available here, and returning it to YRSP@equality.gov.ie by January 14, 2022.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:
“The Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) supports tens of thousands of young people across the country through the funding of 30 organisations working with them. This review of the scheme gives us the opportunity to examine how it can be further enhanced to ensure we deliver the best outcomes for young people and use Exchequer funding in the most effective manner possible.
“I believe that positive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders will be fundamental to the successful reform of the YSGS. Accordingly, I am urging all interested individuals, groups or organisations to make a submission and help ensure that this scheme continues to be responsive to the needs of young people in Ireland over the next decade.”
A reminder of the Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC Providers – 1800 940341 is available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm this weekend.
Please also make note of the Covid support helpline times for over the festive period.
This section provides helpful information and guidance for parents on children in settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services operate during COVID-19, it is important for babies, toddlers and young children that child-centredness continues to be a basis for how we develop our response for children. When all the child’s most important adults—parents and practitioners—work together, going to childcare can be a positive experience for everyone.
Everyone will need to remain vigilant and continue to follow Public Health guidance.
https://first5.gov.ie/guidance/parents
Click in below for Minister O’Gorman`s message of appreciation to all Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare educators and practitioners.