Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
606. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for services which normally open for term time once the 12 week wage support scheme ends; the way in which such services will be funded and supported; if staff will instead be placed on jobseeker's allowance or benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9899/20]
View answerMy Department is prioritising the actions necessary for the reopening of childcare services on 29 June and I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector in this regard.
Every year 60% of early learning and care and school age childcare services close for the summer. This represents approximately 2500 of the 4500 services that exist.
Officials from my Department are currently finalising plans for a funding model to support the approximately 2000 services that normally open in July and August to do so. I will be making an announcement on the details of the funding shortly.
With regard to the Deputy's query on whether the staff of services which normally close during the summer months can continue on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme or should transfer onto job seekers allowance and other State benefits, this query should be to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
As stated above, I hope to be making an announcement soon re a funding model for services opening on 29 June, and this will also include some supports for services opening in September. My Department will use the coming weeks to inform a more detailed plan for September onwards. My overall objective remains to retain necessary capacity in the system for when the ECCE ( free preschool) programme resumes in late August / September, and parental demand increases as economic recovery takes place.
