Many workers could be left without any childcare place
A Sligo based healthcare worker has expressed concerns about the availability of childcare services for those who cannot work from home, as the country continues to re-open.
Initially, creches were to open for children of frontline workers from June 29 th, which came as a huge relief to those who have struggled to find childcare since restrictions were put in place.
The Irish Government then extended that to the children of everyone who needed to be in work and could not find suitable childcare elsewhere, a decision which received much praise as more and more people have to return to work.
But, with creches having to operate at reduced capacity now due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is likely that some parents will find it difficult to source childcare for their children.
One single mother has told The Sligo Champion that she has struggled to find any form of childcare for her children as she has to continue going to work as a healthcare worker.
Creches contacted by the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, have said that they are unable to facilitate her and her children at the moment.
Some creches stay closed for the summer months as it is, but that adds to difficulties for parents right now as restrictions remain in place regarding visiting other people’s homes and social distancing.
One creche owner told the woman that they hope to re-start their afterschool programme once the academic year begins, but they cannot provide childcare for school age children at the moment.
Others have said that they are priotitizing childcare for children of healthcare workers, but only for pre-existing attendees.
“I have worked throughout the pandemic without childcare provision,” she told The Sligo Champion.
“I’m an essential healthcare worker who has put herself at risk by working on the frontline through the pandemic, reassured that once childcare re-opens my children would be prioritixed for a place.”
The creche her children have attended for years has already contacted her to tell her that they will not be able to facilitate her for now.
“There is no guarantee that the creche will be able to take my kids at the end of the summer when school, in whatever format, restarts.
“The stark reality is that in a few weeks I may not be able to continue to work as there is no childcare.
“If you work on the frontline, you don’t have the option of working from home. We are being forgotten and it is our children who are going to lose out,” she added.