Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
523. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if dentists and their assistants that have remained open to perform urgent treatment on patients and children are covered under the new childcare package for essential workers. [7156/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeveral options to support essential workers who are parents and have childcare difficulties have been considered, and unfortunately none of the options are without their challenges in the current circumstances.
While the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers that Dr Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was to establish regrettably cannot proceed as planned, I understand that the HSE is engaging extensively with essential healthcare workers on flexible working arrangements to support their childcare responsibilities while enabling them to attend work (e.g. roster changes; flexible working hours etc).
