It comes as some creches and full-day care service providers are set to reopen tomorrow.
Ireland’s has started on what is set to be a massive national roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine. As per today, healthcare workers and residents of nursing homes and other care facilities are topping the priority list.
However, the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP) is now calling for childcare workers to also be prioritised when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccine.
The representative group is calling on the Government and Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman for all childcare staff to be included, as a priority group, in the vaccine roll-out plan.
“We need to be included in the vaccine priority list,“ said Elaine Dunne, chairperson of FECP, to the Irish Examiner earlier today.
“We now know that the new variant of the virus is more prevalent in children. This leaves staff wide open to contracting the virus as young children cannot socially distance.”
Dunne explains that as it stands, childcare providers have no protection.
“Many staff are extremely fearful about returning to work, especially those who have underlying conditions. Many have vulnerable adults/children living at home and are concerned about contracting the virus and infecting their family members.”
It was decided earlier this week that the resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme would also be delayed until January 11th, in line with both primary and secondary schools across the country.
However, some childcare providers were asked to stay open for priority groups, such as children of essential workers and children from vulnerable groups.
“The minister has asked that childcare be provided for priority groups. We acknowledge that there is a huge need for childcare so people can return to work, but providers across the country are struggling with staff shortages and with the challenge of who they can accept back into their services. It is impossible to pick and choose and prioritise one child above another,” Ms Dunne said.
