Request for publicly-funded system for early childhood care

The National Women’s Council of Ireland is advocating for a publicly-funded early childhood education and care system alongside private services to address the childcare crisis. Several childcare providers have opted out of the Government’s core funding scheme, leading to increased fees for parents or the search for alternative options, including leaving the workforce, predominantly affecting women.

One such provider, Helen McGoldrick, recently closed her pre-school service, KidStart in Lucan, due to financial strain and excessive workload resulting from minimal core funding. McGoldrick emphasized the need for a more sustainable solution for childcare support in Ireland.

The NWC proposes a publicly-funded early childhood education and care system, estimating a cost of €1.6 billion by 2030. They urge the Government to implement a pilot public scheme in Budget 2025 as an investment in women’s equality and overall societal well-being.

The current situation, where some providers are withdrawing core funding and planning fee hikes, highlights the volatility in the childcare sector. The Department of Children emphasizes their commitment to increasing investment in early childhood education and care, with the majority of providers participating in core funding.