Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
605. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the arrangements being made to ensure childcare for preschool and school-age children is available to front-line staff in the health services and other essential services while schools remain closed and many childcare centres are not in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1666/21]
View answerMy Department issued detailed guidance to all early learning and care and school age childcare services on Friday 8 January regarding the provision of services for children of essential workers and for vulnerable children during Level 5 Restrictions until 1 February 2021.
All early learning and care and school age childcare services, with the exception of services which provide the ECCE programme only, are expected to be open for parents who are essential workers and for vulnerable children from Monday, 11 January, unless the service has been instructed to close by public health authorities or has been given force majeure permission to close.
Information for parents is also available on my Department's website in a document entitled 'FAQs for Parents of Children in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services'.
If any parents with eligible children are having difficulty accessing a childcare place they should contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) who will be able to advise them. Parents can find the contract details for their local CCC on the website myccc.ie.
