Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1004. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a childcare provider has indicated that no provision of physical comfort to children will be a condition of returning to its childcare service; her views on such guidance; if such advice has emanated from her Department; and her views on the effect such provision would have on the children being cared for. [8595/20]
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.
Expert guidance on the safe reopening of childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on Friday, 29 May. The guidance recommends use of a “play pod” model which restricts interactions between closed groups of children and adults as an alternative to social distancing, on the basis that social distancing is not possible between young children and is not appropriate when adults are caring for young children.
I have been engaging intensively with a number of organisations representing the childcare sector, through an Advisory Group. A range of additional guidance and resources to assist the sector to prepare for reopening are currently being prepared and will start to issue in the coming days and continue over the remaining weeks before opening.
