My Department, in consultation with stakeholder representatives, is currently developing proposals for the ongoing funding of early learning and care services, including the ECCE-only sector and other sessional providers.
I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes membership from across the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Childminding Ireland, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ, Pobal, Seas Suas, Tusla and SIPTU. The first meetings of this Advisory Group took place on 13, 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has been agreed.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the continuation, introduction or cessation of emergency measures such as the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection operated Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and other business supports. The proposals for re-opening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these existing schemes and so I will be relying on the continued close working relationships with other Ministers on whole of government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.