Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
540. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available for childcare facilities continuing to employ high staff levels to facilitate the pod system, to provide sick leave cover due to Covid-19 or for when staff must isolate when their children are unwell; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46775/21]
View answerSignificant additional financial supports have been made available to early learning and childcare services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that they can remain sustainable and to assist in defraying the additional costs of operating under new public health requirements, including the operation of ‘play pods’.
In particular, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) has been made available to early learning and childcare providers without having to demonstrate a 30% drop in turnover required by other sectors.
The estimated value of EWSS at enhanced rates is approximately €34m per week and this is estimated to cover on average 80% of staffing costs, or 50% of total operating costs of early learning and childcare services.
On 28 September, it was agreed by Government that the existing arrangements for the EWSS will continue for the month of October – with enhanced rates and the exemption to the turnover rule for the early learning and childcare sector maintained for this period
Information about plans for the EWSS after October will be announced in the context of Budget 2022 on 12 October. Officials in my Department have engaged in this planning in respect of the early learning and childcare sector.
Additionally, Government has provided for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or who are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
