Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Childcare desperately needs reform in this country; the dogs on the street know this fact. It is expensive, inaccessible and has become akin to a luxury item. It is a service many families struggle to pay for and refer to it as being similar to a second rent or mortgage and that is absolute madness. We know Ireland has one of the highest childcare costs in the world. The European Commission's research put us behind only the likes of Switzerland and England and we have some of the lowest-paid professionals, with 60% of them earning less than the living wage. UNICEF research published in June of this year stated that Ireland ranked among the world's most expensive countries for childcare.

Ireland's childcare system has been in crisis for a long time. Our current allocation of 0.3% of GDP lags far behind the OECD average of 0.8% of GDP and the UNICEF 1% benchmark. We know families are suffering. Early years and childcare professionals are suffering. Ultimately, children are suffering as the sector struggles to retain highly skilled professionals because it has consistently undervalued them.

This motion, which I am proud to stand behind, received unreserved support from a broad church of representative networks such as Early Childhood Ireland, SIPTU and the Association of Childhood Professionals. The motion seeks to address the main issues. First, for parents, it seeks to cut the costs of childcare by up to one third. Second, for professionals, we will introduce a proper wage scale starting at the living wage; and third, for providers we will extend a sustainability fund to all childcare providers thereby ensuring sustainability in the sector. Having done outreach work with Big Start campaigners and professionals working in this sector, during the recess, I was appalled to hear the depth of the ongoing challenges they and everyone in their sector face. They raised three points with me. First, 94% of educators struggle to make ends week. Second, 84% are unable to cope with an unexpected expense, such as replacing a washing machine, which is absolutely shocking. Third, the sector is 98% female and one of the lowest paid in the country.

See this speech in context