Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann:

recognises that the cost of childcare fees, which now range from an average of €800 to highs of €1,350 per month per child are causing a generation to put their lives on hold, impacting decisions to start or expand their families, to return to work and putting household finances under immense pressure;

notes: — the inadequacy of the new Core Funding Stream for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare which will be extended to childcare providers on condition that they freeze fees at these unaffordable levels; and

— the precarious nature of the Joint Labour Committee for the Early Years' Service Sector established to address low wages and improve the conditions of those working in the sector; and calls on the Government to: — further increase public investment in order to enable providers to reduce fees for parents by two-thirds, commencing with a reduction of fees by one third this year; and

— guarantee the commitment to increase wages and improve conditions for staff, regardless of the outcome of the Joint Labour Committee.

The motion relates to the early years and childcare sector, with an emphasis on the cost of childcare. The cost for parents is crippling. Families are put off having children or sometimes they have one child. I have seen situations where people try to predict when a child might be born, since one would be in school when the other needs childcare, along with other strange situations, as well as the cost. In the past weeks in this Chamber, we have had debates about the increase in the cost of living and how that is impacting on families. The cost of childcare is one of those issues. Sinn Féin has made proposals over the past number of years that would relieve the pressure on families by cutting the costs by two thirds over two budgets, with one third in the first year and another third in the second year.

This would not only benefit families, but would be a game changer for women in accessing employment and progressing in the workforce. Many women end up working part-time or try to have parental leave days. I remember what that was like. I had an issue with childcare myself, today. It is a constant issue. Having access to quality, affordable childcare is a game changer. I know and I am sure every Deputy knows people who have left work due to the cost. It often becomes too much pressure after a second child is born, or people feel like they are racing out the door in the morning just to pay the cost of childcare.

I will give two examples of people I know. Both women were highly educated and had degrees. One lived in Dublin and the other in Carlow. When they had their second children, close to when they had their first children, they both decided they had no option but to give up employment. The fees for two children in Dublin were about €1,800 monthly. If our proposal was introduced, that would reduce by €600 and €1,200 in the second year, which would be a game changer for that woman. The second person was in a more rural area in Carlow, where the fees were €1,400 monthly for two children. That would reduce by €466 in the first year and €932 in the second year. Those two women would remain in the workforce. There would be many benefits for children. I am always amazed at what they can learn in the crèche environment. They listen to it much more than they do to parents.

Cost is a key issue. I also want to address wages and conditions, as I do whenever I get the opportunity to speak about the early years sector. Early years educators are undervalued. It is an issue. We all know that there is a staffing crisis. I am sure nearly every Deputy has been contacted about that. The Big Start is the SIPTU campaign about terms and conditions. Is there an update on the joint labour committee process? I have serious concerns that September is a tight timeframe. What happens if there is not an agreement by September? Will the Minister update us about that?

We feel that our proposals over the last budgets tackle the issues that face the early years and childcare sectors. I want to mention the serious concerns of smaller providers. I am not talking about the big providers, which we all know make a serious profit. The smaller providers are struggling and are concerned about the new funding model. I know they would appreciate an update on how exactly that would work for them and having details about that. I will listen to the debate with interest and will pass over to my colleagues now.

See this speech in context