The Deputy is aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government and my Department.
My Department and I are engaging extensively with stakeholders in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age (SAC) sector, including the representative group referred to by the Deputy.
Consultation with stakeholders has always been central to the work of my Department, and the Early Years Forum (EY Forum) is a key part of this. The EY Forum meets several times a year and includes representatives of providers, parents and academics with an interest in the ELC and SAC sector. I established the ‘EY Forum Plus’ in March 2020 to widen representation by the sector, to aid my Department in developing a response to Covid-19. The representative group referred to by the Deputy is a member of the EY Forum Plus, which has met on a number of occasions over the past three months. Additionally there has been several more informal interactions between the representative group and my officials where their point of view was listened to and information shared with them.
I recently established an Advisory Group on the phased re-opening of childcare services. It had its first meeting on 13 May and has met 3 times since. In establishing the group, I provided six places for sectoral representatives. The sector itself decided on the nominees and these include representatives from the Association of Childhood Professionals, PLÉ, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network and the National Community Forum. Many of these groups represent providers. Childminding Ireland and SIPTU are also members of the group.
A number of additional provider representative groups have contacted my Department seeking to be added to the membership of the Advisory Group, including the group referred to by the Deputy. In response to such requests, I have established a Reference Group, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group. I will chair the first meeting of the Reference Group on 28 May. The representative group referred to by the Deputy has accepted my invitation to join the Reference Group and I have made clear that I welcome any submissions the group may wish to make at any time.
In addition to the above, my officials are also engaging directly with all 4,500 providers across the country through regular emails, and are seeking their input to COVID related challenges through a survey of all providers and an open call for submissions.
