Up to a third of workers in childcare settings could go unpaid over Easter due to delays in establishing a wage subsidy scheme for the sector, the organisation representing those working in it has warned Early Childhood Ireland has sought urgent clarification on the status of the plans from Government.
It said it is two week since the Minister for Employment Affairs Regina Doherty briefed the group about plans for a bespoke subsidy system for the 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," said Frances Byrne, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Early Childhood Ireland. "However, the Scheme