Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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368. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that childcare providers are requesting full payment from parents who are essential workers even if one parent is an essential worker and the other currently is not working and, therefore, not in need of childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. While service providers are contracted by my Department to provide services at a subsidised rate to parents they are free to set their own policies regarding the charging of fees.

If a parent of an eligible child chooses not to take an available place, the service providers’ fee policy will apply. My Department have informed parents that if there is currently no restriction on their access to a service for which they have an agreed contract, the service provider may require that the fees be paid.

I am aware, and welcome that, many ELC/SAC providers have refunded or credited fees for parents who cannot access services at this time. I have asked that services take this step, if possible, in light of the significant State supports provided to the sector.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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369. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions a provider of childcare services should take when it has one non-ECCE child, which means, under the rules, it must remain open in cases in which the provider is also a parent of a school-aged child who requires supervision; if the premises is allowed to close to allow the provider to provide care to their own child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2489/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The resumption of the free pre-school ECCE programme has been postponed until 1 February, in line with primary and secondary schools. Other early learning and childcare and school-age childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open to provide childcare to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children.

ELC/SAC services which are providing childcare to the children of essential workers or vulnerable children will continue to receive funding under all Department funding schemes, for all children registered on these schemes, which includes ECCE, NCS and CCSP/TEC, whether those children are attending or not.

If providers have no eligible children in their service, or if the parents of eligible children inform the provider that they do not wish to take up their child's place, the service can close with force majeure permission and continued funding under Department funding schemes.

If a service has demand for childcare from an essential worker or on behalf on a vulnerable child, that service should open and provide the care. A service which closes and does not provide care for an eligible child, will not be granted force majeure permission, and therefore will be in breach of their contract with the Department. Services which close without force majeure permission, or by direction by public health authorities, will not receive funding under the Department schemes for the period 11 January to 31 January.