Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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636. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if childcare providers will continue to be paid the national childcare scheme payments for the duration of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1768/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Government decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would not resume until 1 February. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children only.

Services who currently receive National Childcare Scheme payments which remain open to provide services to children of essential workers and/or to vulnerable children will continue to be receive payments for the National Childcare Scheme for this period.

Services may apply for force majeure if they are not in a position to open and, subject to meeting the criteria for force majeure, may continue to receive payments.

Detailed information on arrangements during the current Covid-19 measures including payments under the National Childcare Scheme are available through an FAQ document provided here: