Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Like others I begin by commending my colleague, Deputy Funchion, for bringing forward this really important motion. I acknowledge the work she has done on the many issues around childcare over the years.

I contacted the manager of a local crèche in my constituency ahead of my contribution this evening. She told me she is down two full-time staff and two part-time staff and has advertised the positions without success. Not one curriculum vitae has been received by her for the positions. If at least one full-time position is not filled, one of her rooms cannot be opened. She has told me the voluntary management committee will have to decide if that will be the baby room, the toddler room, the preschool room or the after-school room. This will leave parents who rely on the crèche without childcare, and these are the kinds of decisions being made in crèches right across the State. Of course, such issues are nothing new.

I re-read an email I received from the same crèche manager back in June 2018 telling me about the number of people leaving the early years sector. Two years later, the numbers leaving the sector are only rising. The staffing crisis has repeatedly been brought to the Government's attention but the response to tonight's motion is similar to that last week when we discussed the extension of maternity leave. The Government acknowledges the issue but does not propose to do anything to address it. This is quickly becoming a trend of this Government.

The Government argues it values the work of early years educators but it does not want to pay them properly for that work. It speaks about encouraging retention and supporting the achievement of appropriate terms and conditions for the early learning and care workforce but how is it proposed to do that? It has not told us that and there is nothing in the amendment to the motion about pay. Parents will take little comfort from the Government response to the motion this evening. For some families, because of the crippling cost of childcare, they are better off with one parent at home. It does not pay to work, which is a very poor reflection on any Government. The issues are clear and the solutions are in front of us in this evening's motion.

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