Childcare workers upskilling grant
Deputy Aindrias Moynihan complained that a new grant for childcare workers doing courses had an unreasonably short application window. The Taoiseach said he would bring the concern to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and relay her view to the Deputy.
In the programme for Government there is a commitment to support child care workers who are upskilling. Last week, the Minister announced a grant scheme of just over €700 for child care workers doing courses. The closing date for the grant scheme announced last week is today, which means the scheme was only opened for applications for approximately five days. While it was flagged before Christmas, it is a very short time for people to be able to make an application. It is a busy time with new children coming into child care facilities. If anybody is out sick or working a short week it is difficult to submit an application within a five day window. I ask the Taoiseach and the Minister whether this can be reviewed and the timeline extended so people can apply for the grant.
