Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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1028. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress of the advisory group on reopening early learning and care and school-age childcare services. [9333/20]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Deputy is aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government and my Department.

My Department and I are engaging extensively with stakeholders in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age (SAC) sector, in particular through the Advisory Group on the Phased Reopening of Childcare Services, referred to by the Deputy.

When establishing the Advisory Group , I made six places available to the sector. The sector itself chose its representatives, which includes representatives from the Association of Childhood Professionals, Seas Suas, PLÉ, the National Children's Network, the National Community Forum and Early Childhood Ireland. Childminding Ireland, SIPTU, Pobal and Tusla also sit on the group.  

The Advisory Group which I chair had its first meeting on 13 May, and has had a total of four meetings to date.  A Communications Sub-Group and a Practice Sub Group, both of which include most of the sectoral representatives, have been established and meet regularly.

A number of additional provider representative groups have contacted my Department seeking to be added to the membership of the Advisory Group. In response to such requests, I have established a Reference Group, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group. I chaired the first meeting of this group on 28 May.

The Advisory Group has provided expert advice  which continues to be of great assistance in helping us to finalise plans for the reopening of the early learning and care and school age care sector.   I am satisfied that significant progress is being made and the publication of the HPSC guidance last week, together with details on who can access childcare from June 29, represent an important early milestone. In the coming days, I hope to publish a suite of resources for providers to assist them in planning for reopening. I will also be publishing information for parents who are considering returning to the use of childcare services.