Significant numbers of healthcare workers will not be able to go to work in the weeks ahead if the Government does not put in place arrangements for childcare for essential frontline staff, nurses have warned. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said members were reporting serious difficulties and that it was now imperative that the Government puts in place alternative childcare arrangements following the closure of crèches due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The INMO wants the Government to formalise some of the ad hoc child-minding arrangements that have emerged over recent weeks. The INMO said almost as many nurses have been contacting its helpline about childcare difficulties than about concerns regarding personal protective equipment. The Department of Children was understood to be working with more than 30 county and childcare committees to potentially match demand between frontline workers, such as nurses, doctors and gardaí, with childcare volunteers across the sector.

Source: The Irish Times April 05, 2020 19:52 UTC