Dáil vote this evening puts spotlight on childcare crisis
Published: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Following the Dáil vote on childcare this evening (14th May), the Together for Public alliance called on the Government to take immediate action to tackle the crisis in early years education.
The vote today follows last week’s debate on the motion put forward by Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane supporting the Together for Public Alliance, the campaign alliance of over 40 civil society organisations, trade unions, childcare providers, parents and academics, led by the National Women’s Council (NWC), who want to see a public system of early childhood education and care in Ireland.
While the initial motion was replaced by the Government’s wording in the vote, the motion as passed by Dáil Éireann reiterated the Programme for Government commitments to reduce fees for families and introduce public childcare provision, as part of an Action Plan and comprehensive stakeholder consultation process. This creation and implementation of this Action Plan must be an immediate priority for Government.
Orla O’Connor, Director of NWC which leads the Together for Public alliance said:
“Last week’s debate and the vote today are a clear acknowledgement from across the political spectrum that we are facing a childcare crisis, and that urgent action is needed to tackle it. We would like to thank Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane for proposing the motion, and all of the TDs and parties who have supported the Together for Public Alliance and our call for action on public childcare to be an immediate political priority.
“It was encouraging to see momentum and cross-party support building for public early education early education and care, including by the Government in reiterating their Programme for Government commitments. With the Minister having restated those commitments in the Dáil, now is the time for action.
“We are calling on the Government to deliver on their commitments, and we believe it is only possible to do so in a sustainable way if we move away from the current private provision of childcare subsided by the state, to a system where the State delivers childcare directly through a not-for-profit, public system.
“We look forward to engaging with the Minister and all political parties in the development of the upcoming Action Plan in a constructive way focused on the move towards a public system of childcare, and we are calling on Government to make the development and implementation of this Action Plan a whole-of-Government priority.”
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