Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
887. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she will take to ensure childcare providers insurance includes cover for Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8056/20]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that childcare providers are private sector operators, 75% of which are private companies or sole traders, with 25% being community based services. Insurance for childcare providers is provided by a small number of commercial underwriters and brokers.
My Department has been in contact with the insurance sector to see what cover can be provided for the phased reopening of centre based early learning and care. Allianz, who provides insurance for 95% of centre based early learning and care providers, have confirmed that they will provide insurance for services which reopen in accordance with the Government Roadmap, and that they will not apply a Covid-19 exclusion.
Providers’ existing insurance policies will apply, provided that they adhere to the measures and guidelines for reopening which will be set out by my Department, the HSE and other relevant authorities.
As reopening will be on a phased basis, some children may need to move, on a temporary basis, to a new childcare provider. Allianz has agreed to insure the new childcare providers in such cases, subject to appropriate risk assessments and checks being undertaken, as would ordinarily be the case when registering a new child.
