Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Throughout the debates on the provision of childcare it is natural that there has been an amount of discussion considering the impact it is having on parents and those involved in essential services.

However, there seems to have been one glaring omission in the consultations, namely, with childcare workers themselves. Last week, the Taoiseach announced that childcare services would open on 29 June for the children of essential workers. That was a major announcement but childcare workers have told me that there has been virtually no discussion with the sector about how this will work. If I may, I will put the questions that those workers have asked me to put to the Minister and ask that she respond in a written reply.

Given that other educational settings will not reopen in June, how does the Government intend to ensure the safety of staff and children in crèches? Will PPE be provided to all staff? Will children be expected to wear masks? If so, will childcare workers be expected to keep the masks on the children? Will the staff be expected to operate social distancing with and among children and how will this be done? This must be considered not only with toddlers running around but also feeding, changing nappies and putting children to sleep. What provisions will in place in those instances? What is the childcare worker to do when the four year old in their care wants a hug? How will a parent hand over a baby to staff while observing 2 m physical distance? What of childcare workers whose partners are also front-line workers - who will mind their children? What of single parents working in childcare whose children are usually cared for in school or by an elderly relative? The cost of their childcare may be almost equal to their wages. Will the Government pay for that? What of childcare workers who live with vulnerable people? Will they be exempted or will they be penalised if they are unable to go to work for fear that they might bring home an infection? As the Minister noted, many crèches will operate below capacity in these circumstances but they will still have full outgoings such as rent, wages and other bills, as well as additional expenses such as sanitation costs. Will the Minister give a commitment that the Government will make up the shortfall?

Has the Government considered the wide array of childcare settings? What will happen in the case of those located in bigger premises such as shopping centres or community buildings in which there is considerable other activity and where facilities such as toilets and washrooms are sometimes shared? Will different guidance be provided to different childcare operators working in those settings?

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