Written answers

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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95. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports provided by his Department to pregnant childcare professionals who following advice of their general practitioners, have been unable to resume work in childcare facilities due to risk of stillbirth associated with the Covid-19 virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25943/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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It is important to note that public health advice in relation to Covid-19 and pregnancy is provided by the HSE. This advice is based on the latest evidence available and is continuously reviewed. At this point in time, the HSE has not categorised pregnant women as falling within the High Risk or Very High Risk groups in relation to Covid-19.

My Department does not have an employer role in relation to the staff in Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School-Age Childcare (SAC) services and so it cannot provide occupational health advice or services. It is a matter for individual employers to work with pregnant employees (as they do with all vulnerable employees) to assess their work environment and make relevant adjustments, as appropriate to their circumstances. In doing so they should take the HSE advice on high risk, very high risk and pregnancy into consideration.

ELC and SAC practitioners and service providers may wish to refer to HR guidance, produced by Early Childhood Ireland, which includes some information on pregnant employees working in services.

Where an employee is pregnant and has expressed concerns about attending work then they should be advised to talk to their GP in relation to this and discuss whether they are medically fit to attend, whether for physical or mental health reasons. Where they are not medically fit to attend work and have a medical certificate then the normal sick leave policy of the service will apply. They may have an entitlement to illness benefit and should contact their social welfare office to discuss options and eligibility.

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