Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1896.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the need of many childcare workers to sign on to social welfare supports over the summer period; and the actions his Department is taking to end the need for this practice. [32828/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As the State does not employ staff in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services, neither I nor my Department set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. ELC and SAC services are private businesses and their policies on operating hours and staffing are a matter for the service provider. As such, the decision to close a service during holiday periods, e.g. over the summer, lies with the service provider.

Regarding social protection entitlements, this matter falls outside of the remit of my Department. Questions over such entitlements are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.