Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
728. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers in County Westmeath that have reopened; the number that are accepting the same number of children as before the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have reopened on reduced numbers; and the number that are no longer taking children under one year old. [18695/20]
View answerThere are 84 registered early learning care (ELC) and school aged care (SAC) services in Co. Westmeath. 28 of these services have reopened since June 29.
Usually 60% of services close in the months of July and August. As of 27 July 2020, nationally 85% of the services which were open in July 2019 have reopened since they were permitted to do so on 29 June. Westmeath fits the national profile, with 85% of services usually open in the summer months reopen.
My Department does not have data on the number of children who have returned to childcare services to date in Co. Westmeath, as services are not required to notify my Department of the number of children whose parents pay fees in full. My Department does not have details of the number of services which do not take children from the age of one only. This is a matter for service providers.
