Scheduled updates to the Early Years Hive on Thursday 30 January 2025
Dear Service Provider,
Dear Service Provider,
Dear Service Provider,
Services are reminded that they are not required to apply for Force Majeure for closures on Friday 24 January 2025, due to the nationwide red warning that was in place and instruction received from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
Services who were required to close for additional days or who may still be closed, should apply for Force Majeure to cover any closure day/s.
Funding may be recouped if a Force Majeure application is not submitted.
The application form can be found HERE and must be submitted via a Request on the Early Years Hive selecting the following dropdown options:
Regards,
The Early Years Team
Dear Service Provider
Building Blocks – Extension Grant Scheme applications opened on the 12 December 2024.
This is the final deadline reminder that the application window will close at 12 noon on Monday 27 January 2025. There will be no extensions to this date.
Please note: if applicants are experiencing any technical difficulties submitting the online application form, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a service request under the programme ‘Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme’ and selecting the relevant sub-categories.
For urgent queries over the weekend, applicants can contact: 087 2465933.
Application forms must be submitted via the online application form on the Building Blocks Application page of the Early Years Hive. Application forms should not be submitted by email, service request or post. Only application forms submitted via the online form will be accepted.
Please ensure all mandatory documents and supporting documents are attached to the online application form before submission.
For further information on the Building Blocks – Extension Grant Scheme, all the Applicant Guidelines are available on the Early Years Hive as well as an FAQ document.
Regards,
The Early Years Team
Following yesterday’s communication on Storm Éowyn, please be advised that a Red warning is now in place for every county tomorrow Friday, 24 January.
As advised, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has requested all schools, Early Learning and Care (ELC), School-Age Childcare (SAC) and further and higher education institutions services in Red counties to close for the duration of the warning.
Furthermore, the Department anticipates the following message will issue from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management following the meeting of the National Emergency Planning Group this morning.
The Red weather warnings are expected to end between 10am and 3pm on Friday. Travel is not possible during the Red warning period. After the Red warning expires, safety checks may be needed to assess whether any damage has occurred to ensure the safety of children, staff and parents. Providers may need time to prepare to reopen. Because of these factors, concerns about safe transport and the unpredictable nature of the Red warnings, the Department recognises that it is not possible or practical for ELCs and SACs to open on Friday.
All providers should stay updated on the latest weather warnings, which are available on national and local news bulletins. It’s especially important to watch for any changes to the warning status in your area. Providers should remain vigilant and regularly check for hourly and other updates from Met Éireann, local authorities, local radio, and the principal response agencies.
In carrying out any safety checks of buildings and facilities, providers should take into account the current and expected weather conditions, any damage that might have been caused to buildings overnight or at any time during the storm to ensure their safety and that of children, staff and parents.
DCEDIY confirms that funding for ELC and SAC schemes will be maintained nationally on Friday. Services will not be required to apply for force majeure for tomorrow’s closure. The Department would encourage services providing ECCE to offer an alternative day if possible.
Regards,
Early Years Division
Dear Provider,
Following meetings of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group regarding Storm Éowyn, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has advised Storm Éowyn is forecast to bring very dangerous and destructive winds on Thursday night and Friday.
The Directorate has requested all schools, Early Learning and Care (ELC), School-Age Childcare (SAC) and further and higher education institutions services in Red counties to close for the duration of the Red warning which is currently in place for Friday, 24 January. Services should ensure they communicate closures to parents as early as possible. The Directorate has further requested individual service providers to make an assessment of damage and advise parents directly on reopening. It is also important to remember that even after the storm has passed, there is a strong possibility of fallen trees and other debris so drivers are also urged to take care in the aftermath of the storm.
DCEDIY confirms that funding for ELC and SAC schemes in counties with Red warnings will be maintained. Services in Red counties will not be required to apply for force majeure.
Met Éireann Status Red – Wind Warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick
Valid: 03:00 Friday 24/01/2025 to 10:00 Friday 24/01/2025. Issued: 10:05 Wednesday 22/01/2025
Storm Éowyn: Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h
Impacts:
A status red severe weather warning means ‘shelter in place’. People in the areas affected by red warnings should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect themselves and their properties.
Employers in red warning areas should facilitate working from home for all employees who can do so. Only emergency service workers should be leaving home for work, where directed by their employer.
Widespread disruption to public and other services is to be anticipated.
Orange weather warnings are in place for all other counties, and it is expected that more counties will move into red weather warnings. The public are strongly advised to keep up to date with Met Eireann forecasts and weather warnings over the coming days.
Met Éireann Status Orange – Wind Warning for Ireland
Valid: 02:00 Friday 24/01/2025 to 17:00 Friday 24/01/2025. Issued: 08:34 Wednesday 22/01/2025. Updated: 09:44 Wednesday 22/01/2025
Storm Éowyn: Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h widely, with even higher gusts for a time.
Impacts:
Where Orange warnings are in place, the public are advised to limit travel to essential journeys only. An orange wind warning should not be underestimated – it can bring extremely strong gusts and can also pose a threat to life and property.
Services in any counties with Orange warnings on Friday should decide locally to open or close following an assessment of weather warnings and local conditions in conjunction with national guidance and emergency response agencies. Services in any counties which have an Orange warning and are unable to open can apply for force majeure as usual.
HOW TO STAY SAFE IN EXTREME WEATHER
The Department would like to remind providers of the specific Be Winter Ready advisory information for ELC and SAC settings which is available at gov.ie – Schools and Early Learning and Childcare Services Severe Weather – Be Winter Ready. The information includes important details for services on being prepared, keeping informed of weather updates and advisories and decision making on possible service closures.
Regards,
Early Years Division