Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
928. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will operate a helpline for providers in advance of and during the reopening of crèches and early learning facilities. [11626/20]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that the COVID-19 Pandemic has created major challenges for Ireland. The sudden closure of centre-based Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services on 12th March was an unexpected but necessary move to safeguard public health in Ireland.
My Department has been working through the significant challenges of a phased reopening of Early Learning and Care (ELC) facilities for 29 June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
We have also been focused on supporting service providers to reopen. I was pleased to announce a €75m comprehensive support package for the sector on 10 June to this effect, and a set of FAQs issued to providers on 12 June in relation to these supports. Providers have also received a suite of materials providing guidance on hygiene practices and general operation once they reopen.
Since the closure of all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) settings on 12 March, Pobal’s Early Years Provider Centre has continued to provide a range of supports to service providers; including through email and the online HIVE platform. The HIVE platform is the dedicated early years programme portal for service providers. It is a user-friendly platform through which Pobal and service providers interact.
The Early Years Provider Centre paused their call channel in early April to focus their service to providers through email and the HIVE. The projected timeline is that the call channel will reopen by the beginning of July.
Service providers can continue to contact Pobal’s Early Years Provider Centre; through email (eypc@pobal.ie ) and the online HIVE for any assistance.
In addition, providers can access support and guidance from their local County Childcare Committee, contacts details for which are available myccc.ie
