Written answers

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Kathleen FunchionKathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

309. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the value of the employment wage subsidy scheme to the early learning and care and school age childcare sector; the estimated cost to these providers of implementing Covid-19 measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12262/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Employers in the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) sector have been entitled to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) since August 2020, with an exemption from the requirement to demonstrate the 30% drop in turnover that applies to other sectors.

Between October 2020 and November 2021, the enhanced rate of EWSS equalled approximately €34 million, per month for ELC and SAC employers, which my officials have estimated covered, on average, 80% staff costs or 50% total normal operating costs.

For February 2022, the original two-rate structure of €203 per week and €151.50 per week applied; this amounted to approximately €22 million per month for ELC and SAC employers, covering, on average, 50% staff costs or 38% total normal operating costs.

For March and April 2022, the flat rate subsidy of €100 per week will apply; this amounts to approximately €11 million per month in the sector, and will cover, on average, 25% staff costs or 11% total normal operating costs. 

A Transition Fund will be available to ELC and SAC services from May to August inclusive, to support services during the period between the phasing out of the EWSS in April and the introduction of the new Core Funding stream in September.  

Because of the diversity of service provision, the costs associated with implementing public health guidance varied for individual ELC and SAC providers.  On a broad, sector-wide basis, data from Revenue indicates that monthly pay roll costs of ELC and SAC employers were approximately €12 million higher when compared to pay roll for these employers before the onset of the pandemic (i.e. February 2020).  However, this figure also includes any pay increases for staff over the same time period as well as  payroll costs for any non-ELC and SAC staff.

The EWSS has, since its inception, represented a very substantial investment in the sector, and has operated alongside a number of supports that my Department has put in place at various points during the Covid-19 pandemic. The evidence suggests that it has been successful in supporting the sustainability of services and preventing increasing costs being passed onto parents.

Government has now decided to remove public health restrictions based on the recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). 

In line with NPHET recommendations, physical distancing measures such as play-pods, and mask wearing, are no longer be required in ELC and SAC settings with effect from 28 February. If members of staff or children wish to continue wearing face masks or coverings, they should be facilitated to do so.

My Department provided updated sector-specific infection, prevention and control guidance to the sector on 25 February.

The recommendations do still place a huge importance on continued Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, isolation if symptomatic, vaccination and booster programmes. Hygiene measures remain important, and both staff and children should stay at home if symptomatic. In general, services should now resume normal routines and normal learning and care activity.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.