Written Answers Nos. 1106-1130
1106. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if childcare facilities will be able to open for just one day per week or if crèches may operate five days per week at reduced capacity in phase five of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. [5561/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The Roadmap proposes the gradual re-opening of ELC/SAC services across all Phases. The Roadmap references a number of possible scenarios therein, including those referenced by the Deputy of some services re-opening for one day per week, for example. I would note however that the Roadmap provides a pathway towards re-opening rather than the detailed policies for re-opening.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to re-open. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased re-opening will enable sufficient time and planning to re-open in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted re-opening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues, including those mentioned by the Deputy around capacity. Informed by NPHET and public health guidance, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for preschool children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for re-opening which are in development will have due regard to Public Health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future 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 schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from June 29th in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I hope the Deputy can appreciate that the issues raised are under consideration but that I cannot provide more detail at this time while proposals are in development. I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on re-opening services is at a more advanced stage.
1107. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department is considering further supports for the childcare sector after the expected end date of the wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5562/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation and the precise duration of this crisis cannot be known. The reopening of ELC and SAC services will be guided by public health advice first and foremost, in accordance with the phases announced by the Government recently.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS), launched by my Department on 15 April, builds on the wider provisions by Government and also recognises the unique place and importance of the childcare sector. The TWSCS layers on the Revenue-operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and operates in tandem to this scheme. Hence, any decisions by the Department regarding the TWSCS will therefore be guided by Government decisions regarding the TWSS in the first instance. For the present, the TWSCS will run in parallel with Revenue operated TWSS to support the particular circumstances of this sector and to ensure that, once this crisis passes, ELC and SAC services will be in a position to re-open and return to their important work.
A number of supports were available before COVID to improve the sustainability of services during normal times. These remain available now; and it is expected that this will continue as normal when services can safely reopen. Financial supports are available for community services presenting with sustainability issues following a financial assessment by Pobal. My Department has begun to consider whether this sustainability funding can be extended to private services during the pandemic. However, I hope the Deputy can appreciate that our immediate focus is the administration of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme which is in itself a significant sustainability measure, and to address other urgent issues.
My Department has made considerable investment in the sector in recent years. I want to preserve the fruits of this investment and I want to ensure that the ELC and SAC places are still there for parents when they are past these difficult times.
1108. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department is considering changes to the ECCE capitation payments to childcare providers in view of the potential impact of social distancing on childcare providers' capacity. [5563/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Friday 1 May the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives.
My Department is currently developing and costing proposals for the phases of reopening in line with the Roadmap. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues. Informed by NPHET guidance, consideration is being given to a range of issues, including ensuring the financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover higher costs through higher fees.
1109. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address queries raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5568/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was cancelled on the 13th May.
My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
I have established an advisory group to support this process and I have chaired two meetings of this group.
My Department will be communicating with the wider childcare sector in the coming weeks as plans advance
Identifying essential workers, as referred to by the Deputy, is part of the wider Government effort to ensure that society and businesses are re-opened in a carefully managed and safe manner.
1110. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the public health advice available on the phased reopening of crèches as outlined in the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, published on 1 May 2020; her plans to facilitate these reopenings; the way in which she aims to facilitate the lack of capacity due to an increase in social distancing that will be required in crèches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5641/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The future stages of the Roadmap's re-opening of ELC/SAC services are stated as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to re-open. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased re-opening will enable sufficient time and planning to re-open in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted re-opening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues, including those mentioned by the Deputy around capacity. My Department will be seeking public health advice in relation to the plans being put forward. Informed by this advice, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for preschool children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for re-opening which are in development will have due regard to Public Health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future 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 schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from June 29th in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on re-opening services is at a more advanced stage.
1111. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to instances in which crèches and childcare facilities are requiring parents to pay part of their usual fees despite being closed in view of the fact they claim to have had issues in accessing Government support. [5644/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) provides subsidies to early learning and care providers during the period of the Covid-19 closure, to contribute to the cost of staff wages and other overheads. Services which sign up to the scheme cannot charge parents any fees during the closure period, or to retain their child's place on reopening.
84% of providers have signed up to the scheme to date, but providers are obliged to sign up to the scheme.
If any services are facing difficulties in accessing the scheme, they should contact Pobal, the scheme administrator, or their local County Childcare Committee, who can provide advice on the application process.
1112. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of parents and guardians who are not in employment, training or studying and who now cannot qualify for the national childcare scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5714/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) opened to online applications on 20 November 2019 and paper based applications became available on 13 March 2020. To date, over 31,700 applications have been received relating to over 41,100 children.
I am very aware of the concern around transitioning to the new National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the difficulties involved therein. The NCS is based on the principle of progressive universalism, having regard to the best interests of children and to the needs of the most economically vulnerable. Those with the least income will get the highest subsidy. Higher subsidies will be awarded to families with younger children, to reflect the higher cost of providing childcare for younger children because of the higher adult-child ratios required by the Early Years Regulations. We will also aim to support education, training and employment as routes out of poverty.
The intention behind the ‘savers’ provision for the legacy schemes you mention was to ensure that no one would lose out in the initial transition to the Scheme, so families could remain on their current entitlements until they were no longer eligible or until they no longer required childcare.
By replacing the legacy schemes, including CCS/P, the NCS will increase the number of families who can avail of subsidised childcare, and remove many of the restrictive eligibility requirements of the existing support programmes, whereby a parent must be in receipt of certain Social Protection payments or a Medical Card in order to receive targeted supports. In this way, it aims to combat the poverty traps which may exist within the existing schemes, and to appropriately incentivise employment and education/training for parents.
Under Budget 2020, I negotiated additional funding to further enhance the NCS. The maximum number of subsidised hours available under the Scheme will increase from September 2020. Enhanced awards (for parents who are working, studying or training) will increase from 40 to 45 hours per week, and standard awards (for parents who are not working, studying or training) will increase from 15 to 20 hours per week. These measures are targeted at supporting children whose parents are not in work or study, and also working families needing school age childcare. They also respond to concerns expressed by one parent groups.
I would finally note that my Department will be continually monitoring the scheme and will examine any adjustments which might be required to address unusual or anomalous cases, where this is the right thing to do to protect and benefit lower income parents. In this regard, it should be emphasised that the NCS has been designed to be flexible, with income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates which can be adjusted in line with Government decisions and as more investment becomes available. As such, any adjustments deemed necessary by Government can be carried out in a quick and responsive manner.
1113. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department or agencies working under its aegis plan on updating guidelines to foster carers and residential settings further to the publication of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if so, the details of the comprised guidelines. [5766/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1114. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a mechanism in place for birth parents whose children are in foster care and who are of the view that their access rights to their child are being unduly impeded upon by Covid-19 restrictions to voice their concerns; and the decision making criteria in place under such a mechanism. [5767/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1115. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the circumstances under which it will remain appropriate to defer birth parents' access to children in foster and residential care, especially in view of the planned relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions for the general public. [5768/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1116. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the insurance arrangements that will be put in place in respect of childcare workers providing childcare to health workers; and if these arrangements will incur an additional cost on parents or providers. [5826/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced on 13 May that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers would not proceed from 18 May as planned. Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among early learning and care and school aged care providers was much lower than was hoped, for a variety of reasons, and so the scheme had to be cancelled.
1117. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if childminders can continue to care for children in their own home as opposed to going to the home of the child, as long as they are adhering to social distancing, hygiene and other public health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5827/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per HSE guidance and in accordance with the regulations under the Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2000, childminders who care for the children of essential workers in the children's home were permitted to continue working after childcare facilities were closed on 12 March, and are themselves considered essential workers.
The HSE guidance specifies that at present childminding should not take place in the carer’s home, in order to avoid households mixing.
Phase 3 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which is currently scheduled to begin on 29 June, provides for the opening of childminders (along with the opening of creches and preschools) for essential workers, in a phased manner.
1118. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she has taken to ensure that additional refuge supports are in place for victims of domestic and gender-based violence from March 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5887/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is providing Tusla with €25.3m this year for almost 60 organisations that deliver services for these victims. Tusla reports that, to date, it has allocated an additional €250,000 to service providers to support continuity of business and essential service provision related to COVID-19 including additional accommodation; staffing capacity and ICT to enable remote working.
Tusla has advised that as facilities, accommodation and arrangements are specific to each service, Tusla has been working with individual organisations to address any challenges arising in maintaining essential refuge service provision. To mitigate the impact of social distancing and isolation measures, an additional 48 refuge and non-refuge accommodation units for service users have been secured in the community, through the efforts of local services with support from Tusla.
Tusla has advised that a number of services also have access to additional spaces on an ‘as needed’ basis. Tusla continues to explore further options for additional contingency plans with regard to the provision of safe accommodation for victims of domestic violence during the current public health emergency.
1119. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plans being developed by her Department or Tusla on separated parents having access to their children while the country reopens over the coming weeks; the phase of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in which households will be allowed mix in order that separated parents have access again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5899/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny disruption to family contact (access) can be very difficult and upsetting for both children/young people and also for their parents and family. The importance of the contact for the child in care and their family can not be underestimated. In compliance with national guidelines every effort is being made to continue access. Where face to face access has been a challenge or deemed too much of a risk other avenues such as FaceTime, Skype phone or letter have been used.
As safety measures are eased Tusla has other options available to facilitate access visits. As this is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1120. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the State will be providing insurance cover and indemnity to those who sign up to the scheme to provide childcare in the homes of essential healthcare workers if no insurance cover can be secured elsewhere; if discussions had taken place with insurance providers before announcing the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5908/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced on 13 May that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers, which was to deliver home based childcare to healthcare workers, would not proceed from 18 May as planned. Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among early learning and care and school aged care providers was much lower than expected, and so the scheme had to be cancelled.
In commenting on the reasons for low take-up of the scheme by childcare providers, childcare provider organisations have referred to the lack of insurance cover for Covid-19 related claims which could be taken against them; to concerns about the difficulty of supporting staff remotely and lack of control of the environment in which their staff would be working; and the inability to provide staff with fixed lunch and rest breaks without any ongoing responsibility for the care of children.
I acknowledge that there were indeed challenges to the scheme from the beginning, however, my Department, refusing to take a risk averse position in unprecedented times, worked hard to make a scheme available. I believe that discussions about this scheme has assisted services, staff and my Department to focus on the obstacles that need to be addressed to facilitate services beginning a phased re-opening from 29 June.
Since the cancellation of the scheme, there has been progress with regard to insurance. The primary insurer in the childcare sector has agreed that Covid-19 related claims will not be excluded from policies for services which reopen from 29 June. In terms of addressing the public health fears of the sector, the opening of other sectors on 18 May ,and recent research suggesting that children may play only a minor role in spreading the virus, should help to reduce childcare practitioners’ fears.
1121. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if dentists and their assistants who have remained open to perform urgent treatment on patients and children are covered under the new childcare package for essential workers. [5915/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was cancelled on the 13th May.
My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
I have established an advisory group to support this process and I have chaired two meetings of this group.
My Department will be communicating with the wider childcare sector in the coming weeks as plans advance
Identifying essential workers, as referred to by the Deputy, is part of the wider Government effort to ensure that society and businesses are re-opened in a carefully managed and safe manner.
1122. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if guidelines will issue as to whether or not sports and activity summer camps should be run in 2020 in view of the Covid-19 emergency; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some summer camps are reportedly taking bookings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5919/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have policy responsibility for summer activities that may be organised by local communities or are provided through the private sector. Funding from the Department's Youth Affairs Unit is to youth groups and clubs around the country, some of which will operate in the summer months.
The advice to these funded organisations has been to follow the guidance being issued by the Department of Health and the HSE. In addition, officials from my Department have been working with representatives from funded youth organisations to develop sector specific guidance consistent with the roadmap for the re-opening of services and companies that was published by the Government recently.
1123. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if pharmacists will be included in the proposed childcare scheme for front-line essential healthcare workers in view of the fact the HSE and the Department of Health have accepted and confirmed that pharmacists are essential front-line healthcare staff. [6006/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was cancelled on the 13th May.
My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
I have established an advisory group to support this process and I have chaired two meetings of this group.
My Department will be communicating with the wider childcare sector in the coming weeks as plans advance
Identifying essential workers, as referred to by the Deputy, is part of the wider Government effort to ensure that society and businesses are re-opened in a carefully managed and safe manner.
1124. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if childcare centres will be provided with a list of essential workers in order that they can determine which children will be able to attend crèche from 29 June 2020; and if so, when this list will be published in order that parents can be informed accordingly. [6028/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The future stages of the Roadmap's reopening of ELC/SAC services are stated as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to reopen. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased reopening will enable sufficient time and planning to reopen in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted reopening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues, including those mentioned by the Deputy around capacity. Informed by NPHET and public health guidance, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for preschool children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for reopening which are in development will have due regard to Public Health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future 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 schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
Identifying essential workers, as referred to by the Deputy, is part of the wider Government effort to ensure that society and businesses are reopened in a carefully managed and safe manner. I will continue to engage and communicate with the ELC and SAC sector on the details of the planned phased reopening and I will ensure that they have absolute clarity on which families they can serve on June 29th and thereafter.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from June 29th in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on reopening services is at a more advanced stage.
1125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if childcare providers will be provided with guidelines prior to the reopening of services; and when these guidelines will be published. [6029/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1129. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if appropriate health and safety signage will be provided to childcare facilities for display prior to recommencing operation on 29 July 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6035/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1125 and 1129 together.
On Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The future stages of the Roadmap's reopening of ELC/SAC services are stated as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to reopen. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased reopening will enable sufficient time and planning to reopen in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted reopening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues, including those mentioned by the Deputy around capacity. Guidelines, signage and other materials will be considered as part of the proposals. My Department will be seeking public health advice in relation to the plans being put forward. Informed by this advice, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for preschool children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given the likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on reopening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for reopening which are in development will have due regard to Public Health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future 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 reopening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from June 29th in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on reopening services is at a more advanced stage. I am committed to sharing guidelines as soon as possible after they have been finalised with the assistance of the Advisory Group.
1126. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the days childcare services will be open for all children from 20 July 2020 in view of the fact that the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business implies that it will only be one or two days per week initially; if she will liaise with childcare providers in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6030/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The Roadmap proposes the gradual reopening of ELC/SAC services across all Phases, in particular Phases 1, 3 and 4. The Roadmap references a number of possible scenarios therein, including those referenced by the Deputy of some services reopening for one or two days per week, for example. I would note however that the Roadmap provides a pathway towards reopening rather than the detailed policies for reopening.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to reopen. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased reopening will enable sufficient time and planning to reopen in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted reopening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues, including those mentioned by the Deputy around capacity. Informed by NPHET and public health guidance, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for preschool children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on reopening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for reopening which are in development will have due regard to Public Health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future 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 reopening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from June 29th in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I hope the Deputy can appreciate that the issues raised are under consideration but that I cannot provide more detail at this time while proposals are in development. I am committed to sharing detailed information as soon as it is finalised with the assistance of the Advisory Group. I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as possible.
1127. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if childcare providers will be allocated PPE or grant support towards same in advance of the re-opening of services. [6032/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, on Friday 1 May the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives.
The Roadmap proposes the gradual reopening of ELC/SAC services as follows:
- Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
- Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
My Department is currently developing and costing proposals for the different phases of reopening in line with the Roadmap. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on reopening services is informed by the practical constraints that services face. I have established and chair an Advisory Group that includes membership from across the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Childminding Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network, the National Forum for Community Childcare Services, PLÉ, Pobal, Seas Suas and SIPTU, as well as Pobal and Tusla. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May with the second meeting on 15 May.
Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in relation to advice on infection prevention and control, including the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), by childcare providers. Public health guidance on these matters will be shared with childcare providers at the earliest opportunity.
1128. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which future inspections by Pobal and Tusla will be conducted following the reopening of childcare services; if unannounced inspections will continue; if guidelines will be provided to inspectors and childcare facilities in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6034/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1139. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when Tusla, Pobal and the Department of Education and Skills are expected to recommence their inspections; the protocols that will be in place in view of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6321/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1128 and 1139 together.
On Friday 1st May, the Government released a Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework underpinned by expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives.
The future stages of the Roadmap's reopening of ELC/SAC services are as follows:
- Phase 3 (29th June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
- Phase 4 (20th July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to reopen. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the roadmap for the phased reopening will enable services to reopen in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in assisting a smooth transition as possible to the phased and restricted reopening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues, including those mentioned by the Deputy around capacity. Informed by NPHET and public health guidance, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for preschool children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on reopening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13th May and I held follow up meetings on 15th and 19th May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for reopening which are in development will have due regard to Public Health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
My officials are engaging with Pobal about how and when they can undertake appropriate compliance inspections in the coming months. These discussions will take account of the public health situation and the phased approach to reopening described above. Following these discussions appropriate guidelines will be developed which will cover the compliance approach to be agreed with Pobal.
The Department of Education and Skills Inspectorate carry out education-focussed inspections on behalf of my Department. Officials in my Department will be liaising with the Department of Education and Skills in relation to the recommencing of these inspections.
I have requested Tusla to respond directly to the Deputies in relation to their questions on future inspections by Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate.
My officials are liaising to ensure that the approach to these inspections is coordinated.
1130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has contacted the insurance industry to request that childcare providers be given refunds for the period during which they were not operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6036/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsurance for early learning and care providers is a commercial matter for service providers, which is outside my remit. However, I understand that Allianz will give a rebate for insurance costs for the period of closure and Early Childhood Ireland who are the administrator of the group insurance scheme is working with Allianz to maximise the return.
The exact amount of this refund is yet to be determined but Allianz has agreed to provide a rebate.
