Childcare measures will ease financial stress on parents and childcare workers during Covid-19 – Carroll MacNeill

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, today welcomed the measures announced by the Government to support the parents, employers and the childcare sector.

Deputy Carroll MacNeill said: “Our creches have been closed for public health reasons during the Covid-19 emergency. The measures announced by the government will help parents and will help sustain an important sector for getting back to work.

“The plans announced will

 – help maintain the employer employee relationship, and help childcare providers bounce back from Covid-19, and re-open their services to parents

– ensure parents keep their childcare spot in their current provider and remove fee burden when creches are closed

– keep continuity for young children in existing care arrangements

“Many crèches would be eligible for the new Covid-19 Income Support scheme of 70% payment of wages for a 12 week period.”

Deputy Carroll MacNeill concluded: “As the parent of a child in crèche, I welcome this certainty in this crucial sector.

“For parents, workers and providers, for employers who will want their staff back as quickly as possible, for the self- employed and most importantly, for our children’s ongoing development by remaining in their existing care places.

“This will take the pressure off parents next month, just a little, and is a very welcome move by this Government.”

ENDS