Minister unable to give date for resumption of early childhood care and education

Roderic O'Gorman hopes the scheme will resume soon but said it will be linked to the phased reopening of schools

Roderic O'Gorman, the Minister for Children, told the Dáil that full closures of early learning and childcare services between March and June last year created "major challenges" for children and their families. Picture: Julien Behal

The Children's Minister cannot say when the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme will recommence.

Roderic O'Gorman hopes to get the scheme, which provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age, up and running as soon as possible but it will be linked to the phased reopening of schools.