Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
57. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the supports in place for childcare providers to continue to operate after-school care during the Covid-19 public health emergency. [22324/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 10 June 2020, my Department announced a €75m package of funding to facilitate the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services. In accordance with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, and guided by the expert advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), ELC and SAC services were able to resume from 29th June, 2020.
The new funding package contains a number of significant elements including a once-off reopening support payment (RSP), a once-off COVID-19 capital grant and continued access for eligible providers to the Revenue-operated Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS).
The closing date for applications for the RSP and the Covid-19 Capital Grant supports was extended from 28 August to 9 September 2020.
In late July I announced, as part of the July Stimulus, that childcare providers could access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and that they would be exempt from the 30% reduction in turnover rule. This is a major support to the sector as it ensures that up to €200 per staff member per week is available to support increased costs associated with public health requirements and costs associated with lower occupancy.
In addition to these supports, all ELC and SAC funding schemes administered by my Department resumed on 29 June.
