Clarification still being sought on wage subsidy scheme for childcare sector

Places of childcare closed last month.

Many people have felt their jobs being affected by the current lock down, especially those in childcare. Creches and childcare facilities were one of the first places to close, along with schools, early last month. Early Childhood Ireland, the membership organisation for the early years sector, has called for an urgent update from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the proposed government Wage Subsidy Scheme for the sector. The childcare sector struggles at the best of times with very little outside funding. Over the years early childhood educators have asked for more government funding to help with staff wages and to help lower prices for parents. Now is an even more challenging time. Speaking during the week Frances Byrne, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Early Childhood Ireland, said:

“Two weeks have passed since the Minister called an urgent meeting of early years stakeholders to brief us about a bespoke Wage Subsidy Scheme for our sector. “One week later, a letter from the Minister and a set of Frequently Asked Questions were issued to every childcare provider in the State, and two short updates to these have followed since. However, the Scheme has yet to be established and this has left both employers and staff facing huge uncertainty as the Easter period begins.

She later went on to say that the uncertainty around the subsidy could see many childcare workers without money for weeks;

"Because the Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme has not yet been introduced, thousands of childcare staff are now facing two weeks with no pay at all. So far, their salaries have been covered by the regular State funding for childcare places, but this will cease for these two weeks because they work in services that normally close for Easter. Employers in our sector have been advised by the Department to continue paying staff throughout the crisis period, including over Easter – with the promise of support through the Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme. But, because this Scheme has not yet materialised, thousands of workers are now facing Easter with no income for this week or the following week."

I find this very concerning, not just as a parent who has replied on childcare in the past but as someone who knows many working in the field. I really hope that this issue is resolved quickly and that no early years educators go without pay this month.