Today, we stand on the precipice of a childcare crisis in Ireland.

 

In the wake of the recent budget for 2024, childcare providers across the country find themselves gripped by panic. Rising costs and the current state of affairs have pushed these incredible services, which serve as lifelines for parents and children alike, to the brink of collapse. Now, more than ever, we must rally together to secure the financial assistance needed to safeguard these vital institutions.

Immediate action is required to support the children who depend on these services and to ensure that these essential centers can continue operating in communities throughout the nation. We cannot afford to let the future of our children be compromised by the strain placed on these facilities. The well-being, development, and overall growth of our little ones are at stake.

The moral of the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly within these childcare centers has reached an all-time low. They are exhausted, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future. As a society, we owe it to them, as well as to the families and children they serve, to take urgent steps to alleviate their burdens. With this in mind, we are presenting a petition to an Oireachtas committee on the 7th of November.

Through this petition, we aim to demonstrate the overwhelming need for immediate assistance.

We implore you to join us in this endeavor, as your support is crucial in ensuring that providers, parents, staff, and most importantly, the children, can continue benefiting from these essential services. Together, we can make a difference. By signing and sharing this petition, we send a resounding message to our lawmakers that the childcare crisis demands their full attention. Let us unite in our quest to protect the well-being and future of our children. Only by working together can we secure the financial support necessary to preserve these beautiful services that form the backbone of our communities.

Sign the petition today and stand with us in showing the overwhelming need for assistance.

Be sure to wear orange on our support day 26th October and tag us on social media.

Together, let us safeguard the future of our children and the invaluable services that nurture their growth.

Warm regards, 

The FECP

_________________________________

SAVE OUR EARLY YEARS SECTOR

 

The Federation of Early Childhood Providers acknowledges the introduction of the Core Funding scheme.  However, we reject and refute the claim that “1 billion a year is being spent on childcare”. When in fact, only 55% (564 million) of this “alleged” 1 billion goes towards sector support. 

Compared with an expected Government budget surplus of 65 billion between now and 2026 this removes any excuse for properly meeting Minister O’Gorman’s target of 1 billion a year spending on the sector. Furthermore, despite inflation rising by 16.9 percent in the 3 year period from May 2020 to May 2023, funding has risen just 6%. 

This has caused very significant issues that need to be addressed in order to secure the viability of Early Years services including ECCE preschools, Part- time and Full Day Care services.  Businesses around the country are closing at an alarming rate and action is needed immediately. The issues below are an accumulation of the hardships that people have been enduring for far too long, and include our suggestions to rectify this current crisis. 

 We are asking the Government to take action now!  

We are calling on the Government…

1. To increase the rate of Core Funding: 

Increase the rate of ECCE funding from €69 per week to €100 per week with immediate effect.  

ECCE capitation has had just 1 increase in 13 years to a level of €69 euros. Services across the country are struggling as the funding rate has failed to address inflation and rising costs of living. Service providers are drowning in extra costs and cannot continue to subsidise government schemes. 
An increase in Core Funding to meet any ERO increases which must be allocated in January 2024, and to provide an additional 45 million to expand the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). This is to ensure children in full and part-time day care services have their needs met throughout the day. Children’ needs to not stop after 3 hours in the day. 

Government needs to ensure funding reflects the true work of Early Years Educators and puts them on par with other educators in the country. Low Pay Impacts owners and Early Years Educators who are highly qualified and do an extremely important job for the community, families, and our economy. 

2. To restore the title of educator to our professional workforce:

Our sector is unique in combining both Education and Care of Children. We demand recognition and parity with other education providers to coincide with our highly educated, degree led sector that deserves recognition.

3. To End The Fee Freeze Immediately:   

The removal of the Fee Freeze with immediate effect, allowing services to reach equilibrium against inflation. 

Many Early Years services have not increased their parental fees since 2016/2017, with some fees dating back to 2010! 

This means these services cannot keep up with the requirements of the business and are completely hindered by the fee freeze.  The government has NOT taken this into consideration and has NOT supported services in line with inflation or investment of funding to make sure these businesses are viable. This has led to an uneven playing field. 

Ireland is one of the lowest funded EU countries at the rate of .2% GDP versus other European countries that are at a rate of 1.2%. This needs to be fixed urgently to end hardship being endured. 

 

4. To Facilitate the Streamlining and Reduction of Excessive Administration:

We demand streamlining and reduction of excessive red tape and paperwork faced by our sector on a constant basis. With recent surveys showing the alarming rate of 94% of which, feel the burden of paperwork has risen to an insurmountable level. 

This burden is due to the increased number of schemes now being implemented by the department – NCS, ECCE, CCSP, AIM to name but a few. Something needs to be done to assist with this. 

5. To End the “Command and Control” system:

Our sector suffers from inconsistent, unprofessional policy change, highly interventionist and poorly designed regulatory intervention and funding neglect. We demand not just additional resourcing as outlined in our above points, but also an end to this unprofessional system of “Command and Control” and its replacement by a system of professional partnership between Industry, Government and Trade Unions.

6. To Index link all funding for future budgets:

 
Index link all funding for future budgets and recognise that “one size funding does not fit all service models”

Inflationary pressure that has been rising for years without proper recognition from the Government in terms of index linking funding.  The cost base of running a service varies vastly across the country.  Cost are influenced by geographical location, population density etc. and “ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL”

 

Early Years Services are the backbone of every community across the country.  It is of utmost importance that their viability is ensured and that they stay open to meet the needs of their community.  The indigenous Irish childcare system, which was formed around the needs of their community isn’t broken…The GOVERNMENT FUNDING is.

We ask for all to sign this petition, and to send requests to your local Government Officials, The Department of Children, and Minister O’Gorman. Requesting for all parties to take part in meaningful consultation with The Federation regarding our above points. 

United We Stand!

Providers - Staff - Parents - Children

Be the voice of change today, so that we can have a better tomorrow.