"INPS is not paying out the 'Nursery Bonus', and families are on their knees": the complaint.

" The outlook for us is very bleak: INPS's delays in paying out the "Nursery Bonus" are bringing families to their knees and, in turn, educational services," denounced the now unsustainable situation, according to Elisa Pisani, president of Assonidi Veneto.

The president summarizes the issue thus: " The changes introduced by INPS with circular no. 1165 of April 4th stipulate that reimbursement is available only to those who incurred the expense. The problem is that the change in procedure is retroactive, meaning it also applies to 2024 applications, and it's a completely unknown change. Last year, the rules were different: the expense had to be incurred by one of the two parents, and it wasn't necessary for the same person who submitted the request to claim the bonus. The ban means that parents who regularly uploaded the required documentation, but now deemed by the Institute to be no longer adequate, find themselves having to pay upfront expenses that, in many cases, they can't afford. The result? Many stop paying fees while waiting for reimbursement, placing a huge financial burden on our institutions. I don't hold it against families: they are the first victims of this bureaucratic mess, but it's equally clear that we are not banks." If parents are unable to pay, even for reasons beyond their control, we don't have the resources to pay salaries, suppliers, bills, and ultimately, guarantee the service."

Elisa Pisani adds: "When we talk about daycare centers operating in full compliance with regulations, we're talking about facilities staffed by educators and specialized staff who ensure the care, safety, and growth of young children every day. We're therefore talking about an essential service that, instead of being supported, is continually exposed to risks." Assonidi Veneto, which represents the Padua branch of Ascom Confcommercio, is therefore calling on national and local institutions to put pressure on INPS: "The Institute," Pisani concludes, "cannot dilute its responsibilities by invoking a circular that is virtually unknown. Therefore, it must release the reimbursements due without further delay, given that we're not talking about a favor, much less a privilege, but rather a family right and an essential condition for the survival of educational services."