Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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259. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, when a person who is employed or paid by the State avails of the pandemic unemployment payment due to childcare, this will result in a break of service to his or her contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3736/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Public sector employees on unpaid leave (e.g. parental leave etc.) are not eligible to claim the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Although school closures are in effect across the country due to COVID-19, it should be noted that childcare services, including childminders, and other existing childcare arrangements remain open and can continue for children of essential workers and vulnerable children. In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can avail of new childcare arrangements or form a bubble with another household for the purpose of providing childcare.

The list of essential services are set out in the ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. The list can be found on the gov.ie website:

In circumstances where the above options have been exhausted, public service employers and employees may, where appropriate, consider alternative arrangements for flexible working, including working from home and/or working adjusted hours, staggered hours, weekend work etc. to facilitate employees where necessary.