The department of Children and Youth Affairs and the childcare sector has reached a deal regarding emergency funding.
The Childcare Services Ireland yesterday confirmed through a statement that after many days of uncertainty over Covid-19 restrictions and childcare for frontline workers, finally a deal has been reached.
The organsation said that this means all childcare services will be open for children of frontline and essential workers and vulnerable children during this phase of restrictions.
“We have been working extremely closely with the Department over the past few days to secure this sustainability funding. This will be a huge relief to parents and providers alike.’’ Darragh Whelan, Childhood Services Ireland Director,
He said the new funding process will enable the childcare sector to continue to provide services to the children of frontline and essential workers and vulnerable children.
“We are utterly committed to playing our part in dealing with this national emergency and our focus is to continue operating safely and responsibly.’’ he said.
“There are still a few details to be worked out, such as the timing of the funding, and full details will be announced as soon as possible.” he added.
A spokesperson for the Department said that the Department has a sustainability fund in place to support services with sustainability issues. This is additional to the existing financial supports for services, including the EWSS.
“Where a provider has sustainability concerns as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions, additional supports may be made available under this fund to ensure services can continue to operate. Further details on this fund will be issued shortly.” the spokesperson said.
During the announcement of recent Level 5 announcement, the government said that the childcare will be remained open, but only for vulnerable kids.
The concerns regarding the funding gap for providers was raised by the Childhood Service Ireland, the Ibec group representing the Irish childcare sector.
The organisation said that: “Childcare providers are being asked to remain open with hugely reduced occupancy, but they won’t be able to do this long term unless funding is available for them to do so…. It is also crucial that all current funding schemes remain in place, including the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) schemes.”