Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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147. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will establish a fund to assist childcare facilities to purchase a generator to ensure that when power is lost, they can open as normal, to ensure education for children is not interrupted and parents are not left without this essential service, as seen following storm Éowyn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9852/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise that Storm Éowyn caused very significant disruption across the country and indeed to many early learning and care and school age care services.

General information and preparedness guidance is relayed to services annually through the national “Be Winter Ready” campaign.

My Department is a member of the National Emergency Coordination Group and specific Storm Éowyn guidance and direction was communicated to providers in advance, during and after Storm Éowyn.

Further to engagement with the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, my Department monitored the impact of Storm Éowyn on providers through the network of City and Childcare County Committees. My Department notified the National Emergency Coordination Group of impacted providers for prioritised reconnection and/or supply of generators. My Department and the National Emergency Co-ordination Group will continue to liaise in this regard going forward.