Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for tabling this motion and giving us the opportunity to debate it. The provision of a quality, universal, public childcare system is essential for families, not just for parents who want to go to work, but for all families because quality childcare has a significant positive impact on the development of young children. In Ireland, historically, we have had significant underinvestment in childcare and while the Minister's proposals are an improvement, they are starting from a very low base. The Minister recognised this himself when he said that significant challenges still remain, including poor pay and conditions, high staff turnover and the fact that childcare is unaffordable for many families.

I am concerned that the Minister's proposals will not address those issues he recognised. One of my reasons for saying this is the recent survey carried out by Early Childhood Ireland on the proposed core funding contract. Of those who responded, 94% had engaged with the ready reckoner which is designed to allow service providers to calculate their allocation under the Minister's proposal. One of the shocking statistics is that six out of ten of those who responded said they would not be able to continue to provide a high level of quality to the children in their setting. Crucially, a similar number said that they would not be able to continue employing the same number of staff as they currently employ. Some of the other findings are also pretty shocking, although not as bad. I consider these findings bleak. The Minister issued a press release today with further information. Nonetheless, I find the outcome of this unacceptable. Surely, the Minister must be concerned that 25% of those who were surveyed said they are either unlikely or very unlikely to apply for the new funding, while 44% said they have not yet decided.

I have received a number of emails from small providers, in particular small sessional preschools and other providers in my constituency. Many of these people had high hopes that the core funding of which the Minister speaks would allow them to increase the wages they pay to their small teams. However, this seems not to be the case and they are really concerned that they are going to be squeezed out. Can the Minister offer any reassurance to these small providers? I will send him the details. I sincerely hope there is no possibility that this new funding stream and proposals would in any way disadvantage these or other small providers.

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