Childcare plan for healthcare workers scrapped after only six providers apply
THE temporary childcare scheme for essential healthcare workers has been scrapped after only six applications from providers were received.
Childcare services had been asked to volunteer to provide childcare for healthcare staff so they can go to work.
It was launched last week and was due to begin on May 18 but has now been scrapped by Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone, as the uptake was “much lower than was hoped”.
“Unfortunately, uptake for the scheme among childcare providers has been much lower than was hoped, with only six providers applying to join the scheme so far,” a statement from her department read. “It has become clear that the low uptake is unlikely to change.”
The scheme was designed after a request from the Department of Health and the HSE to facilitate emergency childcare so that essential healthcare workers could continue working.
According to the Department of Children, the reasons for the low sign-up rate include the lack of insurance cover, virus transmission, difficulties in managing employer responsibilities for breaks and rest periods, and the concerns “about a lack of protection for staff working alone”.
“The department was always conscious of the fact that the 27,000 workforce consisted predominantly of women, many of whom had their own parental and caring responsibilities, and some of whom had underlying health conditions. However, it had hoped that sufficient numbers would come forward to enable the scheme to operate,” the statement added.
The scheme would have seen childcare workers working in the homes of health workers, with childcare providers and their staff being paid €15 per hour, in addition to associated employer costs.
Ms Zappone said she “had sincerely hoped that it would be possible to deliver such a scheme successfully and so ease some of the burden on our frontline health workers.
“Unfortunately, this has not proved to be the case.”
The INMO said it had not been consulted about the now-cancelled scheme and it is now seeking “constructive engagement” with the Government to find an alternative.
“A key lesson from this process is that there should be constant engagement with unions and stakeholders in the design of these schemes,” said the union’s general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.
“Until then, nurses and midwives with childcare difficulties can expect maximum flexibility to allow them to attend work. Should that fail, they can remain home, awaiting remote work, with full pay. This was negotiated between unions and employers in the past weeks.
“If the Government wants as many frontline nurses and midwives as possible at work, they will have to offer an additional scheme to make it practical,” she added.
Trade union Fórsa said it has been nine weeks since schools and crèches were closed and in that time thousands of health workers have incurred “massive additional childcare costs” which must now be reimbursed by the Government.