Childcare Support Act 2018

Provision for vulnerable children

14. (1) The Minister may enter into an agreement with a statutory body specified in column (1) of Schedule 2 for the purposes specified in column (2) of that Schedule opposite the reference to that statutory body specified in column (1) thereof upon such terms and conditions as may be specified in the agreement in relation to the provision by the Minister of financial support.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), an agreement under this section may—

(a) specify the information and documentation to be provided by the statutory body to the scheme administrator and the means by which it is to be provided,

(b) specify the conditions and circumstances under which a financial contribution will be payable by the statutory body under the terms of the agreement,

(c) specify the class or classes of children by reference to age or social circumstances or developmental needs intended to benefit from childcare services under the terms of the agreement,

(d) specify the amount of financial support to be paid by the scheme administrator,

(e) specify the terms of agreements to be made with approved childcare services providers,

(f) specify the period for which the agreement shall have effect and provide for matters connected with or incidental or ancillary to or consequent upon the expiration of the agreement,

(g) specify the number of hours of childcare to which the financial support relates, and

(h) specify the period for which financial support shall be paid in respect of a child identified by the body under this section.

(3) In specifying the terms and conditions of an agreement under this section, the Minister and the statutory body concerned shall have regard to the objective of the provision of stability for children attending childcare services.