The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has confirmed to Fórsa that the Government is preparing arrangements to ease childcare problems for essential health staff during the coronavirus crisis.

Working parents across the economy have been under pressure since schools and crèches were closed last week.

In a conference call with the HSE yesterday, the union urged the agency to put pressure on the Government to announce details of the arrangements quickly.

In the meantime, HSE chief executive Paul Reid took to Twitter yesterday (Thursday) to announce that hospitals and healthcare facilities have been instructed to suspend staff car parking fees with immediate effect. “It’s only right that we should recognise their brave commitment and dedication,” he said.