Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)

Early years education and the need for movement to a public childcare model were huge issues during the recent general election campaign. The Tánaiste referenced them multiple times as a key priority should Fine Gael be returned to government. More than 100 days after the formation of the Government, we have seen little to no movement on this key priority that was mentioned so many times by the Tánaiste. The programme for Government commits to the publication of an action plan. That is welcome but we need a date for when the plan will be published. Without a date, there is a real concern that, like other election promises by Government parties, this commitment will fall into the ether. A move to a public early years education sector must happen fast.

This is a sector that, as it stands, does not best serve the needs of parents, children, educators or providers. There are two main issues that need to be addressed urgently. The first is the need for more places in early years facilities and the second is the need to improve the pay and conditions of staff. After studying four years for a degree, pay for most workers in the field starts at €13.65 an hour, which amounts to just above the minimum wage. It is no wonder so many are leaving the sector. They handle children in some of their most critical development years but the pay does not reflect the importance of their work. They should be valued more than that. The private profit-driven system does not meet the needs of a changing society.

The other issue, as I mentioned, is the shortage of places. I spoke earlier today to an early years educator in Limerick who told me he has a waiting list of almost 250 children for a community-based early years facility. Parents are paying up to and beyond €1,000 per month for childcare, which is placing a huge financial burden on many families. Many couples are left having to choose between two incomes or one spouse staying at home to care for the children. For may families, one income is not sufficient to support the household and meet the cost of rent or mortgage repayments. It is unacceptable that providers, in turn, face penalties in some circumstances. Flexibility should be afforded.

The Sinn Féin motion is supported by the Together for Public alliance, which calls for a public system of early childhood education and care. We need the terms of reference and a timeframe for the implementation of the action plan promised in the programme for Government. Parents and early years staff cannot wait any longer.

See this speech in context