Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
475. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when details for the resumption of the full early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5180/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Tuesday 26 January, Government made the decision to extend the suspension of the ECCE programme and to continue to restrict access to other Early Learning and Childcare services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children.
The decision to postpone resumption of the ECCE programme and the restrict access to ELC/SAC services only to children of essential workers and vulnerable children has been taken in order to minimise the movement of people at a time of elevated levels of infection of Covid-19 in the community, whilst at the same time providing a service for those who most need it.
It is currently planned for these arrangements to be in place until 5 March. This timeframe remains subject to review in the context of the evolving public health circumstances.
