Kathleen Funchion, Carlow speaking to motion 179
Published: 1 March, 2008
Comrades, one of the biggest issues facing Irish parents today is the lack of affordable childcare, in fact, here in the 26 Counties we pay twice the European average for childcare with costs running close to one's monthly mortgage repayments.
In July of 2007 the Government proposed a revised funding scheme for community crèches and after schools services. The new system will replace the staffing grants currently received by the crèches, it is these grants that enable community crèches to charge parents reduced rates. This proposed scheme will instead offer a subvention for parents in receipt of social welfare or family income supplement.
Due to come into effect in July of this year, it will result in considerable increases in crèches fees and will place further financial burden on the shoulders of low income families already struggling with the cost of living.
Many parents that avail of the community crèche and after schools services are involved with back to education or back to work initiatives, instead of ensuring that parents stay involved with such initiatives and remain active in the workforce. The Government will in fact be forcing parents, especially women, to stay at home as it will be impossible for them to afford childcare.
The lack of staffing grants for these crèche facilities will also see the closure of many community based crèches which will obviously result in job losses for the childcare sector workers concerned.
One of the most negative aspects of this proposed scheme is that ultimately will lead to the creation of a two tier childcare system. We already have a two tier health system - we certainly do not want to go down the same road in relation to childcare.
As international best practice has shown this is not the approach we should be taking. Integration of children from different socio-economic backgrounds is the most effective approach to childcare. It is important to add that there has been no consultation with Irish childcare workers in relation to this issue.
Clearly, the only benefactors of this scheme are the Government as it looks to cut costs and save money. Sinn Féin has a very different vision for Irish child care. We want to ensure that all parents have access to affordable childcare and believe that consultation with parents, children's groups and childcare workers is imperative in the creation of all childcare policy.
To conclude, the proposed scheme is fundamentally flawed at a time when we should be moving towards universal provision of pre-school childcare. This scheme moves in the opposite direction. It threatens the viability of community based childcare and the inclusion of many adults in education and employment.
We need to send a clear message to the 26 county Government today which is that we do not want a 2 tier childcare system and I would urge all delegates to support their local community crèches and after schools services and vote in favour of motion 179.
|
