Childcare providers who take part in the new government childcare scheme have been told that their insurance won't cover them for covid-19 claims.
Yesterday Children's Minister Katherine Zappone announced childcare would be provided in the homes of 5,000 healthcare workers from May 18th.
However, this morning broker Arachas wrote to childcare providers saying a COVID-19 exclusion would be applied to their insurance if they take part.
Childcare providers have been told a “COVID-19 exclusion” will be put on their insurance cover if they take part in the new government childcare scheme for health workers. Many seeking further clarity on what exactly that means and now reluctant to take part pic.twitter.com/sB2jpFmKXn
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) May 7, 2020
The letter states that this is because "there is a material change in risk in terms of the heightened exposure to covid-19 claims".
It goes on to say that "there is an onus on the state to provide a state indemnity in respect of this exposure."
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore is calling on the government to provide a solution as soon as possible:
"It is unworkable. If a childcare provider is not covered by insurance they will not be able to provide the service. It's really important that the government sits down as a matter of urgency and talk to insurance companies and stakeholders to see what can be done.
"This childcare scheme, we've been waiting a while for this to happen, it has to get up and running as quickly as possible there can't be any further delays with it".
