Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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630. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the loss of ECCE hours during the Covid-19 crisis will be made up to the preschool children to ensure they do not miss out on crucial development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1270/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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A decision was taken by Government on 6 January that the ECCE programme would be postponed until 1 February in order to reduce movement in the population to reduce the spread of Covid.

My Department acknowledges that it would be very difficult for providers and practitioners to make up the four weeks they will be closed, and does not expect them to do so. My Department has asked that, where possible, ECCE providers engage with children and families who normally take part in the ECCE programme and who are not otherwise attending the service. Providers are asked to give particular attention to supporting children who avail of supports through the Access and Inclusion Model.

To assist providers and parents a preschool hub with free online resources will be available on the First 5 website.