Clare childcare providers say the doubling of State investment in the sector can’t wait for seven years.
While the Government has pledged to allocate a further 600 million euro to the industry by 2028, providers in this county want this funding to be frontloaded more quickly.
638 million euro was allocated to childcare by the Department of Children last year.
Children’s Minister Roderic O Gorman has pledged to double this to over 1.2 billion euro by 2028.
Childhood Services Ireland’s pre-Budget submission is calling on the Government to invest an additional 115 million euro in subsidies for the National Childcare Scheme and an additional 100 million euro for staff wages.
An Ennis childcare provider says the sector can’t afford to wait another seven years for that extra funding.
Claire Tuohy, who’s owner and manager of the Lifford Childcare Centre, says extra regulations are being implemented on the sector without further financial supports.
Shannon’s Sinn Fein councillor wants a living wage to be implemented across the board for childcare workers.
Childcare fees in this county are believed to be costing around 700 euro per month for one child, with as many as a third of workers understood to be considering leaving the sector in the next 12 months.
Sinn Fein will table a Private Members Bill today that calls on the Government to provide for pay increases for staff and a sustainability fund for providers in Budget 2022.
Councillor Donna McGettigan says a full public childcare model is now needed to ensure a viable industry going forward.
