Dáil debates

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Covid-19 (Children and Youth Affairs): Statements

 

4:05 pm

:

Of course parents are anxious for this to happen as I am sure are children because up to this point everything has been closed, including schools. We are the ones being asked to open first.

With regard to the Deputy's question on sustainability, the calculation is that by 28 June a total of €42 million will have been spent on the temporary wage subsidy scheme. This is a significant amount of money going into the sector. I am very clear, as are representatives of the sector I am working with, that, as we move to a new normal, issues of sustainability will be addressed. We will ask for wider consultation or submissions in this regard.

I want to clarify the insurance issue. With regard to this coming scheme, we have been in contact with the insurance sector on what cover can be provided for the phased reopening. Allianz, which provides insurance for 95% of centre-based providers, has confirmed it will provide insurance for services that reopen in accordance with the road map and that it will not apply a Covid-19 exclusion. It has confirmed this.

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