Positive Direction for Childcare, but NWCI urges leadership, investment and action in Budget 2016

Published: Thursday, July 23, 2015

In response to the launch of the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, James Reilly today, the National Women’s Council of Ireland welcomes the overall direction to build a publically subsidised model of childcare in Ireland but is deeply concerned at the absence of a clear commitment to implement proposals, timeframes and clear investment targets.

Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) said,

“NWCI has been long campaigning for the introduction of an affordable quality childcare infrastructure complemented by paid leave to reconcile work and family life.  It is very welcome that the Report puts forward 6 months paid parental leave which will allow parents to have time with their children in their first year and the introduction of Early Childhood Care and Education for all children from 3 years’.  However these are put forward in the report as ‘Options’ rather than explicit recommendations that the government intends to introduce.

She continued,

"Making childcare affordable is the critical issue for parents, particularly mothers , as costs for childcare in Ireland are amongst the highest in Europe and the OECD.  The report rightly proposes a system to subsidise providers rather than cash or tax based solutions for children however it is unclear how those on middle incomes will benefit from the proposals.  A Scandinavian system as previously promised by the Government provides a subsidy to all parents irrespective of their income.  By providing a range of options in the report it is unclear as to what is the preference of government,  when these subsidises  will be introduced and over what time period.  

She added,

"Ireland currently spends 0.2% of GDP on the Early Years, the average spend is 0.7%, in the absence of any investment target in the report, NWCI is concerned at the lack of clarity in the report with regard to the overall plan of Government to address the childcare crisis."

She concluded,

"There have been many reports providing numerous proposals on childcare in recent years, we need to see decisive action taken in Budget 2016 that leads to the provision of affordable childcare for all parents."

Ends/
For more information, please contact Orla O’Connor, NWCI  Director, Tel. 0873388104.