Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the Deputy's first question, Deputy Farrell raised something similar but I did not get to it. Allianz will give a rebate for insurance costs and Early Childhood Ireland is working with it further to maximise the return. An absolute sum has not yet been decided but Allianz has agreed to provide a rebate. On the other insurance issue, Allianz has agreed that when childcare workers go into homes, the way in which they normally insure will be extended to them.

I think the Deputy will be aware that we have sanction to continue the wage subsidy scheme until 18 June and we will consider what further measures will be appropriate beyond that point, including for ECCE, which the Deputy mentioned. We are planning the introduction of childcare for healthcare workers, as I have indicated. It is open to anyone working on ECCE to apply to volunteer for this so, potentially, some wages will continue to work towards the measure to retain the childcare workforce in line with plans for a phased opening. Whatever the measures are that move into the future, those workers will be part of it somehow.

We hope to find a way so that what we are doing is done in tandem with measures that are agreed by Government when the current scheme comes to an end on 18 June.

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