We cannot continue to ignore the challenges and costs in the Childcare sector. Every year the Budget comes and goes, and parents, workers and childcare providers see little change in tackling the issues of costs, pay scales, recruitment, bureaucracy and overall funding of the sector.
We have hundreds of dedicated childcare providers and highly trained workers across Mayo who love their profession but struggle to continue working in a childcare sector that desperately needs reform. Meanwhile, hard pressed parents can barely afford to meet the high cost of childcare.
We addressed these challenges in this year’s Sinn Féin Alternative budget by allocating €28m to commence a 5 year transformational programme of childcare reform that ensures childcare workers are properly paid and childcare fees are slashed for parents.
This would amount to a cut on average of €100 per month on a monthly crèche fee of €800 initially increasing year upon year. We would achieve this through direct financial support for all centre based providers that chose to opt int a new Early Years/Childcare system.
The Government cannot continue to ignore workers who are the bedrock of this sector. With Budget 2020 we see a clear dismissal of their invaluable contribution.
Proper investment in this sector is essential if we are to create healthy communities fortified by equality of opportunity and fairness for families. I do want to commend SIPTU who continue to campaign for the a better system through their ‘Big Start’ campaign. I urge Government to listen and take the necessary action.
