Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
735. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to address excessive waiting lists for access to childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19065/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has carried out research into the intentions of parents and early learning and care (ELC) and school age childcare (SAC) providers to estimate the likely supply and demand for places in the coming months.
IPSOS MRBI undertook a survey of households with children from May 22-24, 2020. Parents/guardians were asked to consider what type of arrangement they intended to use for each of their children. 27% of parents reported using centre-based services in March 2020, and 13% indicated that they intended to return to centre based care on the reopening of services.
IPSOS MRBI carried out a second survey of households with children from June 19 – July 10 2020. 17% indicated an intention to use a centre-based service post-COVID-19, an increase on the 13% who had intended to use centre based care in the previous survey.
A phone survey of providers was carried out between 4 and 12 June 2020. Of 2624 services contacted, 85% indicated they were planning on reopening, while 2% indicated they were not. The rest had not decided at that time.
Early learning and care providers were permitted to reopen on 29 June. By 27 July, over 1,550 services had already reopened, which is 85% of the services that usually open in the summer months. With regard to the balance of services that normally reopen at the end of August / early September, 76% of all services have already applied for reopening grants, confirming that they will be reopening. Services have until 28 August to confirm that they will be reopening. It will not be possible to assess supply in the sector until all services who intend to reopen confirm that they will do so.
If any parents are having difficulty in accessing a childcare place they should contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) who will be able to advise them of all childcare options in their locality. Parents can find the contract details for their local CCC on the website myccc.ie.
