Childcare providers have called for a higher prioritisation in the Government’s vaccine rollout plans amid fears among staff as many creches return to about 90 per cent occupancy. Children in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme returned to creches last week while early learning and childcare is t be fully reopened for all children on March 29th under the current Government plans. Some 30,000 childcare workers are included along with teachers in the eleventh group in the order of priority for the vaccine rollout. Elaine Dunne, the chairwoman of the National Federation of Early Childhood Providers said staff should be moved up the allocation list to “at least cohort six”. He said the matter will be kept under review but, at present, the existing public health pathway for childcare services should be followed.

Source: The Irish Times March 16, 2021 18:47 UTC