Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
861. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address a matter regarding childcare facilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14783/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 June 2020, I announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services. Included in this reopening package are:
- A once-off Reopening Support Payment for DCYA funded providers opening between 29 June and early September.
- A once-off COVID-19 capital grant for DCYA-funded providers opening between 29 June and early September.
- Resumption of all DCYA childcare funding programmes which amount to approximately €600m per annum.
Alongside this, eligible services will continue to have access to the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).
In total, Government is providing a €75m package of funding for reopening. The suite of funding measures within this package will run from 29 June to 23 August 2020.
These measures succeed the DCYA Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) which was introduced as a temporary and time limited emergency measure to support the childcare sector during the closure period required by the COVID-19 crisis. The TWSCS was ended on 26 June.
The DCYA will review the operation of these funding measures in July and will use this information to inform the funding model from 24 August onwards.
The funding package aims to support providers to reopen, staff to remain in the sector, parents to resume work, and children to benefit from quality Early Learning and Care and School Aged Childcare.
