The scheme to provide temporary childcare to healthcare workers has been cancelled due to low take-up. It was launched last Thursday with a call to childcare services to volunteer to provide childcare for health workers in their homes.
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, said the scheme had been scrapped as only six childcare providers had signed up to be part of the service.
A variety of reasons have been put forward for the low sign-up rate. These include availability of insurance cover concerns about possible virus transmission difficulties in meeting employer responsibilities in relation to breaks and rest periods and concerns about a lack of protection for staff working alone.