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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Questions (574)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

574. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a group (details supplied) has been excluded from the childcare sub-committee convened in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic to discuss the impacts on the childcare sector and plan for the future reopening of service; and if it will be included in future committee discussions. [13737/20]

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Written answers

An Advisory Group on the Phased Reopening of the early learning and care sector was established in May 2020 to provide expert advice and guidance to my Department in preparing for the reopening of the sector. The Advisory Group has met on a weekly basis since its first meeting on 13 May.

In establishing the Advisory Group, six places were provided for sectorial representatives, which were filled by members of the Early Years Forum Plus group (EY Forum plus), which is made of stakeholders , including representatives of childcare providers, children and parents. The group referred to by the Deputy is a member of the EY Forum plus.

The EY Forum plus decided on its nominees to the Advisory Group and these include representatives from the Association of Childhood Professionals, PLÉ, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network and the National Community Forum. Five of these groups are representatives of childcare providers, in both the private and community sectors.

Childminding Ireland and SIPTU were added as members of the group, as they represent other key stakeholders, childcare staff and childminders. Pobal, Tusla and Childcare Committees Ireland, the representative group of the County Childcare Committees, are also members of the Advisory Group.

A number of provider representative groups contacted my Department seeking to be added to the membership of the Advisory Group. It was decided not to expand the membership of the Advisory Group, as it was working effectively as a small focused group. The Minister instead established a Reference Group, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group. The Reference Group includes representatives from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, the Association of Full-time Day Care Providers, St Nicholas Montessori and a number of service providers.

Contributions from the membership of both Groups have informed my Department's strategy and decision making process for the reopening of the ELC and SAC sector from 29 June. I look forward to meeting and working with the groups in the coming weeks, especially the Early Years Forum Plus, who I am due to meet with next week.

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