Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if plans are in place to compensate the time lost for children in the ECCE scheme due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2131/21]

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 (AIM).

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