Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

Quality early childhood education is paramount for the healthy development of children. It is also important from the point of view of addressing educational and future employment outcomes for children as well as the prevention of poverty and all the various social difficulties that may arise.

There are 4,300 centres in the country employing approximately 24,000 staff. The majority of these staff are on incomes close to or at the minimum wage. Of the 4,300 facilities, one third are community facilities. The Minister referred to evidence in his reply. As a member of the board of a community child care facility, I can inform him that there is a serious struggle every day to make ends meet. The service is being subsidised by staff, employers and parents.

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