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Early Childhood Care and Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Ceisteanna (769)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

769. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address an issue with regard to the second ECCE year for the coming term (details supplied). [13308/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I acknowledge that continuing uncertainty about the operation of the ECCE programme may be challenging for both service providers and parents. Decisions on the operation of the ECCE programme, including funding arrangements, will be announced in the coming weeks. The decisions to be made are complex and must balance a number of important issues. 

Expert guidance on the safe reopening of childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, approved by the Expert Advisory Group of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), 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.

Based on advice provided by the HPSC I do not propose to change Regulations in relation to either the adult-child ratios or the floor-space requirements for early learning and care services.  

Services are asked to apply the guidance to their setting and determine what capacity they may offer. It is expected that a significant amount of capacity will be available in individual services when they reopen, subject to, for example, their space, room layout and staffing availability. 

It must be noted that the Department is not the owner/employer of early learning and care services; they are private businesses and specific decisions on how to reopen are a matter for the individual service provider.

In saying that, my Department is working closely with the sector to address the many questions that exist in relation to reopening of services, including the issues around capacity and how the ECCE pre-school programme will operate when it recommences.

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