Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021
186. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding supports available for those categorised as essential workers with regard to childcare and crèche fees; if those who are currently working from home and therefore not availing of crèche services are obliged to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4733/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would be suspended. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children only.
Essential workers are those that work in the list of essential services published on gov.ie. One parent who is an essential worker confers eligibility on the child to access a service. For the purposes of accessing early learning and childcare services, an essential worker may be working from home.
Significant financial supports have been made available to ELC and SAC providers and I have asked that providers make arrangements to waive or refund fees to parents who cannot take up services at this time. The Department has also asked providers to bear in mind that parents who are essential workers or who have vulnerable children have a broad range of personal circumstances and to consider what arrangements (e.g. refunds or fee credits) can be made for eligible parents who do not wish not to take up an ELC/SAC place at this time. The Department has been made aware of many ELC/SAC providers who are waiving fees for any parents who are not taking up places and welcomes this.
ELC and SAC services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. While service providers are contracted by the Department to provide services at a subsidised rate to parents, they are free to set their own policies regarding the charging of fees and contract conditions.
Funding arrangements for February are currently being finalised and will be publicised shortly.
For parents who work in essential services or parents of vulnerable children who wish to access an ELC place at this time, new applications for the National Childcare Scheme continue to be accepted during this time. City/County Childcare Committees can assist parents of eligible children who need a childcare place to find one locally.
