Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
632. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding pregnant childcare workers and Covid-19 public health restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12495/21]
View answerPublic health advice in relation to Covid-19 and pregnancy is provided by the HSE at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus-and-pregnancy.html . This advice is based on the latest evidence available and is kept under review.
It is important to note that, at this point in time, the HSE has not categorised pregnant women as falling within the High Risk or Very High Risk groups in relation to Covid-19 (https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/people-at-higher-risk.html).
My Department does not have an employer role in relation to the staff in Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School-Age Childcare (SAC) services and so it cannot provide occupational health advice or services. It is a matter for individual employers to work with pregnant employees (as they do with all vulnerable employees) to assess their work environment and make relevant adjustments, as appropriate to their circumstances. In doing so they should take the HSE advice on high risk, very high risk and pregnancy into consideration.
ELC and SAC practitioners are advised to speak with their GP if they have particular concerns about their own situation.
