Thousands face childcare ‘gap’ as they return to work before the crèches are due to reopen
THOUSANDS of workers face being left without childcare after the Government fasttracked the reopening of the economy.
Retail staff will return to work in bigger numbers from June 15 as shopping centres open their doors and the exit from the Covid-19 crisis is accelerated.
But the first crèches and childminders will not be back in business until June 29.
Tourism and hospitality staff and workers at bars that serve food will return to work on that date – but ‘essential’ workers will get first call on places.
Restrictions on the over-70s mean minding grandchildren is no longer a feasible childcare option under public health guidelines.
General secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Patricia King said some workers will face major difficulties because of a gap between the date they return to work and availability of childcare.
“There is a gap, there’s no doubt about that, and there isn’t an easy answer as to how it’s going to be addressed,” she said. “Crèches will return on June 29, and you also have primary school children out and some secondary school children who require care,” she said. “There is also the non-availability of extended family because of restrictions.”
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was unable to say how many places will be available for children when the childcare sector reopens.
It is trying to gauge potential capacity by doing a phone survey of providers.
When asked when this will be available, a spokesperson said data collection is likely to continue into next week before the data is analysed.
It is also unclear if a wage subsidy scheme for the sector will be extended along with a scheme for other businesses.
Siptu has called for the extension of the scheme in a submission to the department.
“The reopening of the early learning and care sector will raise serious financial issues for services,” said the union’s head of organising and campaigns, Darragh O’Connor.
“The expected reduction in demand, together with staffing requirements, will make the traditional financial model unviable for services. Without State support, services will have to increase fees; this cannot be allowed to happen.”
There are 4,500 early years and school-age childcare services. Fewer than 2,000 of these normally remain open in July and August.
The economy will be fully reopened by July 20 under the new plan. Childcare facilities are due to reopen for all workers from that date. However, it is unlikely to be a full service. The department said it would be done on a “gradually increasing phased basis”, and “slowly increasing thereafter”.
Meanwhile, remote working is to continue for staff who can currently do so. Those with children are likely to mind them at home unless they can access childcare from June 29.
Before restrictions, 56pc of parents cared for their children at home, 27pc availed of centre-based childcare, 18pc had the support of grandparents and 15pc used childminders, according to department research.
Since restrictions, 97pc of parents said they cared for their children at home. Just 13pc said they intended to return their children to centre-based care when restrictions are lifted. However, the survey was conducted before reopening was fast-tracked.