Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

54. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the arrangements being made for the childcare sector in circumstances in which staff are tested positive for Covid-19 and substitute staff will be required to maintain the child ratios. [22249/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

From the outset of Covid-19, my Department has engaged closely with the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre in keeping the sector informed of how to comply with public health guidance. This guidance includes advice for services on how to manage a confirmed case amongst their staff.

Where there is a confirmed case of Covid-19 in a service, local Public Health staff will contact the service to discuss the case, will identify close contacts of the confirmed case and will advise on any actions or precautions that should be taken. While the HSE assessment will be on a case by case basis, if children or other staff in the service are identified as close contacts they will be asked to restrict their movements for 14 days and tests will be arranged. Those who are asked to restrict their movements will not be able to attend the childcare service. In such cases substitute staff may not be required as the play-pod is likely to be closed temporarily.

There will also be cases where the staff member has tested positive but has not been in close contact with anyone in the service in the 48 hours prior to symptoms developing (e.g. if they were on leave). In such cases, it is a matter for the service provider to arrange cover and ensure adult-child ratios are maintained.

The Government Jobs Stimulus Package, announced in July, is a significant package of financial supports to help providers operate with reduced attendance and extra operating costs that may arise from Covid-19, including staffing needs. The package sees continuation of all DCYA subsidy schemes, access to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), reopening grants, and a sustainability fund for providers who can demonstrate that the other measures are not sufficient by themselves to enable viable operation of their business.