Katherine Zappone outlines what childcare may look like when lockdown ends

Childcare providers will also likely pick the children up from the car to avoid interaction between parents.

A new model for the reopening of childcare will see limited interaction between parents and carers, including staggering operating hours, and hosting children in special pod settings.

Amid concern that providers may not come on board, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone told the Dáil that in other countries demand for services had reduced because of parents' fears of risks.