Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1001. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which she had planned on spending the €4.7 million per week on the childcare scheme for essential workers; the way in which this funding is now being spent in view of the fact the scheme has been cancelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8525/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government.
I announced the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers on 7 May to support essential health workers who are having difficulty meeting their childcare needs. The Scheme was designed in response to a request from the Department of Health and the HSE to put emergency childcare in place for essential health workers. Existing, registered childcare services were invited to participate in the provision of childcare in the homes of essential healthcare workers.
The Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers did not proceed on the 18 May as planned. The scheme was launched with a call to childcare services to volunteer to provide childcare for health workers in their homes. Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among childcare providers was much lower than was hoped.
The Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was expected to operate for an initial period of 4 weeks, and would have utilised funding allocated under the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare budget over that time. Funding under this ELC and SAC budget will be directed towards the phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities from 29th June, in line with the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. This budget also currently provides for the ongoing operation of the DCYA Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS). The TWSCS was developed to sustain the early learning and care (ELC) and school Aged Care (SAC) sector and is layered on top of the wider Revenue operated TWSS. These emergency measures have been in place since 6th April.
