Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Elaine Dunne, Connie Hannon and Fiona Bowe from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers who are in the Public Gallery. The early childhood care and education programme, ECCE model of childcare was introduced in 2010 and it was replicated on the basis of the Northern Irish system. Since 2010, the capitation funding per child in ECCE has risen from €64.50 to €69. This is measly when compared with the doubling of capitation funding in Northern Ireland in that same period. Budget 2023 has to ensure that childcare becomes more affordable for parents but, equally, it must ensure that the model of childcare in Ireland is properly funded and that we break the cycle of measly funding. The federation is looking for an increase in capitation in budget 2023 from €69 to €76 per child. Failure to secure that funding and address the funding deficits could, they estimate, result in the closure of 260 centres. We value this sector like gold, yet we pay them peanuts. This has to be the budget that properly funds it and I ask the Taoiseach to speak with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and ask him to go out to the gate and meet the sector’s representatives.

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