The Taoiseach has said childcare for healthcare workers has been approved in limited circumstances and will be phased in over the coming weeks.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has approved a plan to provide paid leave to the partners of healthcare workers who work in other parts of the public service.
Further measures to allow childminders to come into homes are being considered and may form part of an easing of restrictions next month.
Taoiseach says NPHET has approved paid leave for partners of healthcare workers who themselves work in the public service to allow them to stay at home in a childminding capacity. Will begin rolling out over coming weeks
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) April 22, 2020
Leo Varadkar said the situation is complicated but a step in the right direction.
Speaking in Dublin this afternoon, Mr Varadkar said: "We can try and action [it] now over the next couple of weeks.
"The difficulty is that only really works where it's a public sector household, if you'd like, and isn't an adequate answer for those who are either both healthcare workers, or one is in the private sector and one in the public sector."
The Taoiseach said officials are also looking at allowing childminders to come into the home as part of any easing of restrictions from May 5th.
He said NPHET still has "reservations" about that proposal and aren't happy for the Government to allow it right now.
