Childcare support plan falls short
by Bernard Harbor
 
Head of health Éamonn Donnelly said staff were dismayed that there had been so little progress in the six weeks since schools and crèches were closed.
Head of health Éamonn Donnelly said staff were dismayed that there had been so little progress in the six weeks since schools and crèches were closed.

Fórsa has said the Government’s plan to give childcare support to some health workers falls well short of what’s required to assist essential health staff and maximise the numbers available in hospitals and nursing homes.

 

The Government announced on Wednesday (22nd April) that public servants who are partners of essential health staff could be given paid leave to assist with childcare.

 

But the union, which represents 30,000 health workers, said the plan was a partial solution that would not help those hit hardest by childcare difficulties – single parents, and families where both adults are essential workers. Neither will it assist health workers whose partners have jobs in the private sector.

 

Fórsa’s head of health Éamonn Donnelly said today’s announcement was “at best a partial measure.” He said essential health staff were being forced to stay at home to look after their children, even as the Coronavirus was depleting the number of health staff available for work.

 

Éamonn said: “We welcome any movement that will ease the pressure, and this will. But it’s a partial solution that won’t help those hit hardest by childcare difficulties – single parents and families where both adults are essential workers.

 

“Staffing pressures in the health service have worsened as significant numbers of health workers have contracted the virus or have had to self-isolate.

 

“Increasing numbers of health workers have been forced to take annual leave to cover gaps in their temporary childcare arrangements, and a growing number are telling us that they simply have to prioritise their children in the absence of promised supports.

 

“This has penalised the very people who provide essential services, often at considerable personal risk to themselves, and has further depleted the staff complements in hospitals and elsewhere.”

 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the closure of all schools and crèches on Thursday 12th March. At that time, health unions were assured that the Government would quickly put childcare supports in place for essential staff working to prevent the spread of coronavirus and treat those with the condition.

 

Éamonn said staff were dismayed that there had been so little progress in the six weeks since schools and crèches were closed. Fórsa has been pushing the HSE for a solution for six weeks and raised the issue directly with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Monday of this week. 

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