Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1017. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans and recommendations in place for non-essential businesses and workers allowed to return to work on 8 June 2020 but childminding services for this category cannot operate until 20 July 2020; the way in which this issue is intended to be addressed in circumstances in which there is a gap in childminding provisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9003/20]
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 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.
The Roadmap proposes that the reopening of crèches, childminders and preschools in a phased manner will begin in Phase 3, which is currently scheduled to begin on 29 June. Last Friday, 29 May, I announced which children would be eligible to resume full or part-time childcare services from 29 June. Whilst initially the Government Roadmap had indicated that services would resume only for the children of essential workers, this has now been widened.
Subject to local capacity, from 29 June services are encouraged to support:
- children of health and social care workers, other frontline workers, childcare practitioners and parents who need access to childcare in order to return to work;
- vulnerable children sponsored under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) (for example, children who are homeless and Tusla referrals) and children funded through legacy childcare schemes who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage or child welfare issues;
- children with disabilities who previously attended part or full-time early learning and care, including those preparing to start school in September; and
- children previously registered in childcare services on March 12, whose parents continue to need childcare for employment or training purposes and who were assured that they would retain their place through conditions attached to my Department’s Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS).
Whilst demand for services may be lower than it was in March, some working parents who were using childcare services before the closures on March 12 will be reassured to know that they may now have the option to return to the service.
In the best interests of the child and parents, children should, as far as possible, be enabled to return to the childcare service they attended Pre-Covid19. Given the changed model of interaction and the time lapse since the child last attended, it is important that further unfamiliar elements are not introduced to the child at this point.
If local capacity issues emerge, services will be asked to give priority to the children of essential or frontline workers.
As 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. Childminders will also be able to resume looking after children in the childminder’s home from 29 June.
