Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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466. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify crèche guidelines for children under a year old (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5102/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services, other than the ECCE programme, are currently open for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children only. Latest data gathered from the City/County Childcare Committees show that more than 1,800 services are open nationally, many of which at operating at low occupancy levels.

ELC and SAC services are privately operated and are therefore free to set their own admission policies but I am aware that many of these providers are already accommodating additional demand for ELC and SAC at this time due to school closures.

The City/County Childcare Committees are available to assist parents currently experiencing difficulties securing a place for their child to find suitable childcare in their local area on the basis of current available capacity. A list of all City/County Childcare Committees can be found on myccc.ie.