Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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1111. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to instances in which crèches and childcare facilities are requiring parents to pay part of their usual fees despite being closed in view of the fact they claim to have had issues in accessing Government support. [5644/20]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) provides subsidies to early learning and care providers during the period of the Covid-19 closure, to contribute to the cost of staff wages and other overheads.  Services which sign up to the scheme cannot charge parents any fees during the closure period, or to retain their child's place on re-opening.

84% of providers have signed up to the scheme to date, but providers are not obligation to sign up to the scheme.

If any services are facing difficulties in accessing the scheme, they  should contact Pobal, the scheme administrator, or their local County Childcare Committee, who can provide advice on the application process.