Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am in Leinster House.

I also want to thank the witnesses. During the pandemic things have been extremely hard. We have to appreciate the way our childcare providers and childminders have stepped up to the mark. They have played an essential role during the Covid-19 pandemic. We must recognise that. For young families to succeed, childcare must be affordable and accessible. I welcome how the witnesses are committed to the ongoing learning and are listening to providers, parents and guardians.

I also welcome the establishment of the steering group, although the urgency of this is really important. It has been mentioned that the steering group will include representation from other jurisdictions. Could the witnesses tell the committee which jurisdictions these will be? With that in mind, how helpfully will the national action plan draw on international experience in this field?

This is a vital sector and must be supported fully to provide high-quality childcare with proper regulations and inspections. According to the Big Start campaign, however, Ireland's early years system is not working for parents. It is failing the educators, essentially underfunding childcare, and has led to a lack of options for educators who leave the sector, providers who close their doors and parents and guardians who cannot afford childcare. This is the biggest issue we have to face. I know there has been a significant increase in funding, and I welcome the ambitious First 5, but Ireland still has one of the most underfunded childcare systems in Europe, failing to meet the EU average in respect of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, targets for investment. We have among the highest childcare costs in the OECD, amounting to over half the average wage in Ireland. Despite qualifications, most early years professionals earn below the living wage of €12.30 per hour. Funding is a massive issue. I always welcome steering groups and reports, but we have to be practical too. We have to make sure that childcare is affordable and that the people who need to access it are able to do so.

We have spoken about Tusla. When do the witnesses see the issue of training requirements for childminders to register with Tusla being resolved?

Another thing I have always spoken about is State childcare. I always wonder whether we have looked at it seriously. With this plan, is there a clear pathway for educators, a clear guide to supports for providers struggling to sustain businesses under significant administration, inspections and regulation demands, increasing commercial rates and insurance costs, and a clear ambition to give families the confidence that we are aiming to get this right? I am a nanny now and I see my children working - they are front-line workers - and see how important childcare is. As a committee we now have to make sure we get right these serious concerns we all have. The witnesses might answer those questions.