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Childcare Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Questions (999)

Peter Burke

Question:

999. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will be recommending that childcare will be carried out through a pod system; if so, if she will increase the ECCE to cover additionally incurred wages; if childcare providers will be encouraged to rent or buy modular buildings to facilitate such a method of childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8523/20]

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Written answers

Expert guidance on the safe reopening of childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on Friday, 29 May. The guidance, developed in consultation with my Department, focuses on a “play pod” model which restricts interactions between closed groups of children and adults as an alternative to social distancing, on the basis that social distancing is not possible between young children.

Based on advice provided by the HPSC I do not propose to change the Regulations on either the adult-child ratios or the floor-space requirements for early learning and care or school-age childcare services as such changes are unnecessary where "play pods" are in use.

Services are now being asked to apply the guidance to their setting and determine what capacity they may offer. It is expected that a significant amount of capacity will be available in individual services that reopen in the summer, subject to, for example, their space, room layout and staffing availability.       

The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate recently wrote to service providers to inform them of its intention to recommence Fit for Purpose inspections of services. This will allow new services to be registered and changes in circumstances for existing services to be approved prior to the reopening of services in late June.

My Department has also conducted research to assess the level of demand among parents for childcare services. Preliminary data has revealed that while 27% of parents were availing of centre-based care prior to restrictions, 13% of parents intend to use centre-based care once restrictions are lifted.

In the context of all of the above, there does not appear to be a general need for childcare providers to rent or buy modular buildings to address capacity or space issues. However, my Department will keep the matter under review as we prepare for reopening of services and through the early stages of the reopening. Should capacity issues arise, my Department will look at all options to enable additional capacity.

While childcare services will be permitted to reopen from 29 June, in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the ECCE pre-school programme will not recommence before the end of August. I am currently prioritising the actions necessary for reopening on 29 June. Once these are advanced, priority will move to the more detailed planning for the resumption of the ECCE programme. 

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