618. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons employed on each childcare committee; the role of each; the way in which their role is changing to reflect the demands of Covid-19; if she envisages them playing a supportive role in the reopening of crèches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10364/20]

My Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) to act as its local agent in the delivery of the national early education and childcare programmes and the implementation of Government policy. The CCCs were assigned by the National Childcare Strategy (2000) as the key local component in the development of a co-ordinated approach to quality childcare and to advance the provision of childcare facilities in their local areas.

The role of the CCCs is to provide support and guidance to local service providers and parents in relation to the various childcare programmes, and support quality in keeping with national frameworks and policy objectives. My Department sets the key objectives and actions for the CCCs on an annual basis, and they are continuing to deliver on this plan of work within the current constraints of the public health emergency.

CCCs are fully engaged on issues arising within the sector, and are responsive in supporting services throughout these unprecedented times. The role of the CCCs during the Covid – 19 emergency is to continue to provide support and offer guidance and advice to services and parents in whatever way is necessary throughout this difficult period. CCCs will play a key role in providing a range of supports to the early learning and care (ELC) and school age childcare (SAC) sector. CCCs will play a critical role in supporting ELC and SAC services with their return to work preparations, specifically in acting as a local hub with a focus on supporting services to reopen safely. My Department will liaise closely with CCCs in respect of their role in this regard.

The following table shows the number of persons employed by each CCC and their roles as of the end 2019. There are a variety of roles within CCCs, including managers/coordinators/CEO, development officers, information officers, administrators, quality officers, and clerical officers. There are also a variety of working patterns across all staff.