Childcare Providers in Clare claim the survival of the profession is at stake unless urgent action is taken to overhaul sectoral supports.
It comes as figures released this week by the Department of Education show that 42 creches have closed their doors in just the first six months of the year.
Members of The Federation of Early Childcare Providers in Clare and across the country will down tools from September 27th to 29th in protest of what they deem to be years of government underfunding.
Despite the launch of the Government’s €287 million Core funding Programme in 2021, a survey of the childcare providers group found that 122 of its 1,400 owners were planning to close this year.
The current Core funding model sees childcare providers allocated a maximum allowance of €1.66 per child per hour to assist with operating costs.
However An Ennis provider believes factors such as the cost of living, soaring utility bills, rising insurance premiums and the growing duties for providers outside of term time are leaving the sector in crisis.
Midwest Rep and Manager of the Teach Abhaile Pre-School in Ennis, Connie Hannon says carers feel completely undervalued and disillusioned.
A Shannon Childcare provider claims he can’t see any signs of future generations entering the profession.
Under Employment Regulation Orders introduced in 2022, new minimum hourly rates of pay were set for graduates entering the early years services sector.
The new rates mean that the maximum hourly rate paid to a qualified member of childcare staff at 20 years of age is just €13.
Noel Murderrig, who was been running the KidzHaven Creche in Shannon with his wife Siobhán since 2000 will be among the providers closing permanently in 2025, due to recruitment and financial challenges.
Noel says the childcare service will face imminent collapse if the concerns of providers continue to fall on deaf ears.
You can listen to the full interview below.
