Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
621. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of engagement there has been with the childminding sector; if she has considered the use of childminders in early phases for frontline workers; if guidance was sought from the NPHET in relation to childminders; if so, if she will publish the response received from the NPHET; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10367/20]
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 Roadmap for the Reopening of Society and Business 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. On 29 May, in line with the Roadmap, I announced that in Phase 3 childminders will be allowed to work in their own homes. I also announced which children would be eligible to resume full or part-time childcare services from 29 June, both with childminders and in centre-based services. Whilst initially the Government Roadmap had indicated that services would resume only for the children of essential workers, this has now been widened.
I have established an Advisory Group to support preparations for reopening. Sectoral representatives were nominated by the Professionalisation Sub Group of the Early Years Forum. These include representatives from Association of Childhood Professionals (ACP), National Childhood Network (NCN), National Forum for Community Childcare Services, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), Childminding Ireland (CMI) and PLÉ. SIPTU is also a member of the group in accordance with the requirement of the Return to Work Safely Protocol issued by Government on 9th May to consult with Trade Unions. Childminders are represented by Childminding Ireland.
Childminding Ireland is the national childminding body funded by my Department to represent and support the child minding sector. They recently engaged in a survey with Childminders (834 respondents) and the findings of this survey will assist the Advisory Group with considerations for the childminding sector.
My Department appointed a National Childminding Coordinator in 2019, who supports my Department with matters relating to childminders. We also have in place a team of six Childminding Development Officers who are located in six City/County Childcare Committee’s (CCCs), each of whom work with a cluster of CCC’s. These supports have continued to be in place during COVID and will continue when all childminders are permitted to reopen on 29th June.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) guidance developed by their Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Division (AMRIC) on 'Infection Prevention and Control guidance for settings providing childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic' was agreed by NPHET’s Expert Advisory Group and has been published on the HPSC website and on my Department's website. Working in collaboration with Childminding Ireland, my Department will be publishing guidance specific to childminders in the coming days, based on the HPSC public health advice.
As services reopen, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will keep the operation of the guidance under close review and take appropriate updated action as required.
