Sherlock calls for a ‘cast iron guarantee’ on childcare scheme for frontline heathcare workers
CORK EAST Labour TD Seán Sherlock has called on the Government to give a “cast iron guarantee” that childcare facilities will be provided for essential front-line healthcare workers by the end of next month.
The call has come following speculation in the media that nine out of ten childcare facilities will not re-open their doors when the third phase of the plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions comes into play on June 29.
Deputy Sherlock said, were this to happen, it would spell “disaster” for working parents.
“With more and more workplaces re-opening, working parents will be looking ahead to when they too are due to return to work, but there is a ‘ ticking time bomb’ for those who are due back before crèches reopen. Working parents need a cast iron guarantee that the childcare scheme for essential workers will be up and running from June 29,” said Deputy Sherlock.
He raised the issue with Children’s
Minister Katherine Zappone in the Dáil, pressing her to give a commitment following the collapse of the government’s proposed scheme for front-line workers.
Had the scheme gone ahead, it would have seen childcare workers caring for the children of front-line workers at a cost of €90 per family.
However, concerns over issues including insurance, the potential transmission of COVID-19 and the safety of staff working alone saw just six providers sign up for the scheme, prompting its withdrawal.
Deputy Sherlock said that Minister Zappone said there would be a scheme put in place, details of which are due to come before Cabinet by the end of this month.
“This would indicate that we should have some sense of what will be proposed by Friday. The caretaker Government is up against the clock on this. It’s time the Taoiseach took some control of the matter to ensure this vital support is available to parents,” he said.
Deputy Sherlock said he fully appreciated the “obvious difficulties” in relation to childcare and public health measures such as social distancing, particularly when dealing with very young children.
“So we need to ensure that every ‘i’ is dotted and ‘ t’ crossed in this regard, the health and safety of children and workers is paramount. We need a clear and coherent plan for the reopening of the childcare sector as a whole that takes all these issues into account. The Government needs to show a real sense of urgency on this.”