Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
762. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if sessional services are allowed open to offer childcare from 29 June 2020 even though they will not be offering ECCE; if such services can apply for the reopening and capital grants announced on 10 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12082/20]
View answerOn 10 June 2020, I announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services. In accordance with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, and guided by the expert advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), ELC and SAC services can resume from 29 June. I am pleased that Government have committed a €75m package of funding for reopening services over the summer months. This substantial investment recognises the important role that the ELC and SAC sector plays in the societal and economic infrastructure of the country.
The new funding package contains four significant elements:
- A once-off Reopening Support Payment (RSP) for DCYA-funded providers opening in the coming months from June 29
- A once-off COVID-19 capital grant for DCYA-funded providers opening in the coming months from 29 June
- Continued access for eligible providers to the Revenue-operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)
- Resumption of DCYA ELC and SAC programmes. NCS, CCSP and TEC will be available again for children attending ELC and SAC services from 29 June.
In developing the funding package, I recognise that a reduced number of children are likely to attend ELC and SAC services in the initial weeks of reopening. This funding package is tailored to allow providers to operate with potentially less parental income and to assist in meeting the possible costs associated with complying with public health requirements.
The funding package will also ensure that ELC and SAC providers will not charge higher fees than they did pre-COVID-19. This will benefit parents and children returning to services.
All providers, including sessional providers, can avail of all elements of the reopening funding package if they meet the eligibility criteria. The criteria are contained in a detailed set of FAQs, published on 12 June. These include information on eligibility and the practicalities of applying.
A key policy priority for my Department is the sustainability of the ELC and SAC sector and hence it has and continues to work intensively to support services to reopen after COVID-19. The reopening funding aims to support providers to reopen, staff to remain in the sector, parents to resume work, and children to benefit from quality ELC and SAC.
