Childcare concerns grow as restrictions ease
by Hazel Gavigan and Bernard Harbor
 
A new report from the union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) says women are set to be disproportionately affected by this “misalignment” of the return to workplaces and reopening of childcare facilities.

Increasing number of workers could struggle with childcare problems in the coming weeks as employees migrate back to workplaces after working remotely.

 

The Government’s ‘roadmap for reopening society and business,’ launched earlier this month, saw some workplaces reopening last week. And, while many workers will continue to work at home for some weeks or even months, a growing number are set to return to offices and other workplaces.

 

But the Government’s plan envisages crèches, childminding and pre-school facilities reopening “in a phased manner,” for essential workers from the end of June. This will gradually increase to other workers, on a phased basis, from 20th July.

 

Half of all workers depend on such childcare facilities, and the Government’s roadmap says they could initially open for just a day a week before “slowly increasing thereafter.” Schools and colleges won’t open to students until September at the earliest.

 

Meanwhile, a new report from the union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) says women are set to be disproportionately affected by this “misalignment” of the return to workplaces and reopening of childcare facilities.

 

It says access to childcare will be a significant issue for many people returning to work as around 40% of workers have dependent children.

 

Although the official focus on childcare is on the reopening of schools and crèches, NERI says many people rely more on family members and friends. Its senior economist Lisa Wilsons said that accounts for half of workers in the Republic of Ireland.

 

“This dominant reliance on family is particularly important in the context of current public health restrictions as wider family circles are currently unable to physically interact with each other,” she said.

 

Given the poor policy intervention to address this issue, there is a serious risk that lack of access to childcare will affect families’ ability to leave the home and participate in the labour market.

 

Ms Wilson said the coronavirus had intensified gender inequality in the home as women assume the bulk of caring responsibilities.

 

“Research has highlighted that without access to childcare, gendered patterns of care are being replicated during lockdown and in many cases magnified.

 

“It is a well-known fact that women’s disproportionate responsibility for childcare within the home affects their ability to enter and progress equally in the labour market. This inequality is now being exacerbated by the lack of access to childcare owing to the Covid-19 crisis,” she said.

 

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