Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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843. To ask the Minister for Health the options available for front-line workers with primary school age children in relation to childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9729/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In line with DPERs Guidance on HR matters during Covid-19 document which applies equally to all Civil and Public Sector employers and employees (), where school closures are in effect across the country due to COVID-19 restrictions, childcare services, including childminders, and other existing childcare arrangements remain open and can continue for children of essential workers and vulnerable children including those employed in the health sector.

In addition, a household of an essential worker, without an existing childcare arrangement, can form a bubble with another household for the purpose of providing childcare.

Where these options are exhausted, employers and employees may, alternative arrangements for flexible working, including working from home and/or working adjusted hours, staggered hours, weekend work etc. should be utilized where possible.

Employees may also choose to utilise existing leave allowances including parental leave and annual leave for this purpose.

These provisions exist across the public service and are not restricted to the public health sector.