Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
816. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if guidance or advice has issued to childcare providers in respect of after-school services for childminding in cases in which the childcare provider collects children from schools and looks after them until they are collected by parents or guardians after work. [21781/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpert guidance on the safe reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on 29 May, and updated on 31 July. The updated Guidance from the HPSC includes advice on the safe interaction between schools and school-age childcare facilities where children attend both.
In addition to the expert guidance from the HPSC, my Department has provided a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The Guidance for Reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website: https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/reopening . The resources provided on the site include a School Age Services - Key Messages document which highlights the points from the guidance which are of particular relevance to school-age childcare services. This includes arrangements in relation to transport to and from services. Specifically, it notes that services can continue to provide transportation to and from school, and offers guidance on how it can be safely provided.
