Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
483. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if having an elderly and high-risk person in the household is considered for force majeure permission with regard to the non-reopening of a childcare centre that is also a primary residence given the ongoing pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5385/21]
View answerForce majeure permission will not be granted where a service decides to close due to Covid-19 concerns and where there is no direction to close by public health. This is to ensure that the children of essential workers and vulnerable children continue to receive Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) during this period.
Public Health guidance continues to recommend that operating ELC and SAC services is safe for children and staff, in the context of necessary precautions. The risk of infection can be reduced significantly by following the sector specific guidance on infection prevention and control published by the HPSC. It is also important to note that the incidence of Covid-19 in children under 13 remains significantly lower than in the population at large.
HSE guidance should be followed in relation to vulnerable people or those living with vulnerable people.
