Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
871. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the membership of her advisory group on reopening early learning and care and school-age childcare services; and the process by which the members of the working group were selected. [7649/20]
View answerThe members of the Advisory Group on the phased re-opening of childcare services are the Association of Childhood Professionals, the Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas, Childminding Ireland and SIPTU. Pobal and Tusla are also members of the Advisory Group.
In establishing the Advisory Group, I provided six places for sectoral representatives. The sector itself decided on the nominees and these include representatives from the Association of Childhood Professionals, PLÉ, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network and the National Community Forum. Many of these groups represent providers. I included Childminding Ireland and SIPTU as members of the group, as they represent key parts of the early years sector not included in the list above, ie childcare staff and childminders.
A number of additional provider representative groups have contacted my Department seeking to be added to the membership of the Advisory Group. In response to such requests, I have established a Reference Group, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group. The Reference Group includes representatives from the Federation of Early Childhood, the Association of Full-time Day care Providers, St Nicholas Montessori and a number of service providers. I will chair the first meeting of the Reference Group on 28 May.
In addition to the above, my officials are also engaging directly with all 4,500 providers across the country through regular emails, and are seeking their input to COVID related challenges through a survey of all providers and an open call for submissions.
