Mr. Mick Kenny:

I thank the Chairperson and members of the committee for the invitation to speak here today. I am the manager of Urlingford and Johnstown community childcare centres and I am a national council member of the Association of Childhood Professionals, ACP. I am accompanied by my colleague, Ms Marian Quinn, who is the chairperson of the ACP.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth introduced the national childcare scheme, NCS, in November 2019. The scheme provides grants for working parents for the first time. Given the high cost of childcare, due to historic underinvestment by successive Governments, this is a welcome first step towards supporting families to access affordable childcare.

While the NCS has been positive for many families, unfortunately it has negatively impacted thousands of children from disadvantaged and marginalised families. These children and families were previously supported with targeted schemes, which recognised that children from families who are marginalised and disadvantaged require additional supports to provide equity of access, opportunity, participation and outcomes. The scheme helped children to access services that were warm, safe, welcoming, stimulating and child-centred. Children received hot meals, emotional support and were provided with a haven from the stresses in their lives. The amalgamation of these targeted schemes makes it clear that children from households where their parents are unemployed or inactive are at a significantly higher risk of poverty and deprivation. While motivating parents to participate in labour force training and education is one possible solution, it cannot be at the detriment of the child by using a carrot and stick approach. Children must be supported in their own right. The central objective of an early years and after-school policy must be to adhere to a children’s rights approach. However, by focusing on activating parents, the NCS broadens the gap of inequity between children and pushes disadvantaged children into a more vulnerable situation.

The policy focus of the NCS discriminates against children based on the status of their parent or guardian, and infringes on children's rights under Articles 2 and 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The State is intentionally discriminating against children in a bid to motivate their parent or guardian to undertake employment, education or training. Equal access to care and educational supports are being withheld from children because of their parents.

The Government is aware that withholding childcare supports could have a detrimental effect on the welfare and well-being of children who are marginalised and disadvantaged. Access to formative education and care should be a universal right, and not conditional on compliance with a wider Government policy or agenda. The primary objective of the Government should be to support all families and provide extra supports to those most in need. Children should not be used as pawns in a wider Government policy that puts them into a more vulnerable position. We should also not wait until a family is in crisis before we offer enhanced supports similar to those enjoyed by children of a parent or guardian who in employment, training or education.

Early years and after-school care is about much more than work activation. It is about children's well-being and happiness, supports for families, children's rights, reducing child poverty, social justice, and giving all children a good start in life. The First 5 programme is a whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. It is a ten-year plan to help to make sure all children have positive early experiences and get a great start in life. It must be a plan for all children regardless of the status of their parent or guardian. I thank members for listening and I would welcome questions.