Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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562. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a plan for the early years service beyond 29 January 2021 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4139/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Between 11 and 31 January, access to early learning and childcare services is restricted to the children of essential workers and vulnerable children. In addition, the resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme has been delayed.

During this period, my Department is continuing to provide funding under its schemes (ECCE, NCS, CCSP and TEC) as long as early learning and childcare services remain open for essential workers and vulnerable children, or have been directed or approved to close.

In addition, all early learning and childcare services remain eligible for support under the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and are exempt from the turnover rule. With enhanced EWSS subsidies in place until 31 March, EWSS subsidies are estimated to cover up to 50% of the operating cost of these services.

My officials are engaged in detailed planning as regards the arrangements for early learning and childcare services from February onwards.

Progressing the implementation of these plans will depend on the decision to be taken by Government on COVID-19 restrictions from 1 February.

To inform planning in the context of current restrictions and restrictions from February onward, my officials and I have engaged with the COVID-19 Advisory Group, which comprises representatives from the early learning and childcare sector.