The Federation of Early Childhood Providers acknowledges the introduction of the new funding scheme – Core Funding. However very significant issues need to be addressed in order to secure the viability of Early Years services including ECCE preschools, Part-time and Full Day Care services. Services around the country are closing at a frightening rate – another 80 have closed this year so far. We are asking the Department of Children to address the following issues URGENTLY:

•  Funding: Increase the rate of ECCE funding from €69 per week to €76 per week. Services across the country are struggling as the funding rate has failed to address inflation and rising costs. 
•    Fee Freeze: Many Early Year services have not increased their parental fees since 2016/2017. The government has NOT taken this into consideration and have not supported services in line with inflation or investment of funding to make sure these businesses are viable. Ireland being one of the lowest funded EU countries at a rate of .2% GDP versus other European countries that are at a rate of 1.2%.
•  Admin: Recognition of increased administrative burden due to the increased number of schemes now being implemented by the department – NCS, ECCE, CCSP, AIM. 
•   Cost Base: The cost base of running a service varies vastly across the country. Costs are influenced by geographical location, population density etc. and ‘ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL’.
•   Acknowledgement: The Department has failed to acknowledge the protests at Leinster House, 500 letters and thousands of e-mails sent to both the Minister of Children and Youth Affairs, Roderic O’Gorman and other Departmental Ministerial officials.

Early Year Services are the backbone of every town and village across the country. It is of upmost importance that their viability is ensured and that they stay open to meet the need of their community.

WE ARE ASKING PARENTS TO SIGN THIS PETITION TO SECURE THE VIABILITY OF THEIR LOCAL EARLY YEARS SERVICE. WE NEED YOUR HELP AS THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT LISTENING.