Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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758. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether there have been any discussions between her Department and the Department of Social Protection to regularise or streamline access to social protection for childcare workers who are not paid outside of term time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25416/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the State does not employ staff in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services, neither I nor my Department set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.

Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 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.

Social welfare entitlements fall outside the remit of the Department and are a matter for colleagues at the Department of Social Protection.

However, I understand that the Department of Social Protection operates a system where those who are employed across the various educational sectors are supported in making their application to allow for a more efficient processing of their claim when the period of unemployment arises.