Ms Marian Quinn:

On the Deputy’s second question, it is not so much that providers do not know or that there is not enough detail now in terms of being able to open.

The issue is that there was so much confusion for so long about what would be the reality of being able to open. Providers are now trying to work through that reality in terms of what they are able to do, what is expected of them and what information is untrue. One will hear media reports about the pod system being inhumane. We have seen international images where children were in chalked out boxes and they were not allowed to engage with other people. One also hears about social distancing. However, the reality of social distancing and the pod model is different in an early years service. It will be adults who will be social distancing from each other whereas the children's needs will be met. If they need hugs, reassurance or the supports of the adults, they will get them. They will be able to engage with the children who are in the pod. What that means is that it is just a structure of a group of children together and they are not going to be interacting with other children or other adults from it. However, sometimes when one hears reports of it one says, "Hang on, I thought I had it straight in my head but now I have heard something else - maybe I read it in some media or somebody has commented on it". That is probably where the confusion happens.

The documents available on the First 5 and Let's Get Ready websites are very detailed and break it down for providers. There is a great deal there to go through because much has to be done on opening, but the information is there and people can engage with it.