Childcare Costs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Ceisteanna (602)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

602. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some childcare providers are asking parents to sign a contract for a childcare service which includes the clause that parents must pay during mandated closures as directed by the HSE or another agency; if childcare providers are entitled to insert this clause if drawing down Covid-19 payments recently announced by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14461/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department does not provide early learning and care services. Childcare services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. Services are contracted by my Department to provide services at a subsidised rate to parents. Providers are free to set their own policies regarding the charging of fees. The current contracts between the Department and providers do not deal with the issue of services charging fees during periods when the services are closed.

With regard to the charging of fees during the March-June Covid related closure period, services which signed up to my Department's Temporary Wage Subsidy for Childcare Scheme (TWSCS), were not permitted to charge any fees during the closure period.

I would encourage parents who are experiencing difficulties with any aspect of service provision to contact their local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for all of the CCCs are available at www.myccc.ie.