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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Questions (798)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

798. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if there are specific financial measures to support small play schools with Covid-19 compliance, for example, to employ extra staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22219/20]

View answer

Written answers

On 10 June 2020, my Department announced a €75m package of funding to facilitate the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services.

The funding package contained a number of significant elements including a once-off reopening support payment (RSP), a once-off COVID-19 capital grant and continued access for eligible providers to the Revenue-operated Temporary Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).

The Reopening Support Payment (RSP) supports ELC and SAC providers in meeting the reopening guidelines, to support children to remain in ‘play pods’ to reduce the potential for COVID-19 to spread, and to meet additional staffing costs, such as staff in reception to manage staggered drop off and pick up times, additional cleaning to ensure that hygiene standards are met, and intensive staff training pre-opening.

The COVID-19 Capital Grant contributes towards the capital costs associated with the reopening of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Services. The grant will enable ELC and SAC services to make modifications to their facilities and outdoor areas and purchase the necessary equipment to ensure compliance with the government’s Public Health Advice.

The closing date for applications for the RSP and the Covid-19 Capital Grant supports was extended from 28 August to 09 September 2020.

In addition to these supports, all ELC and SAC funding schemes operated by my Department resumed on 29 June.

As part of the July stimulus package childcare services now have access to the Revenue operated Employment Wage Subsidy scheme (EWSS). A special exemption for early learning and childcare services to the 30% turnover rule within EWSS has been included to recognise the need to retain capacity in the sector and support parents to access childcare places and get back to work.

In the event that a service experiences sustainability issues, I am putting a new Sustainability Fund in place to provide additional support. This will assist providers, both not-for-profit and for-profit, struggling with an imminent threat to the viability of their service arising from COVID-19. Any service that believes they may require support should contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) in the first instance.

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