Pre-Budget Statement 2019
We can all agree
Parents, workers, employers, government and child-focused non-governmental organisations all agree that early childhood education and care (childcare) should be high-quality, affordable and accessible.
Evidence clearly shows that highquality, early-childhood education and care has benefits for children in terms of their cognitive and social development, improving school readiness and life outcomes. The impact is even greater for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Why is everyone getting a raw deal?
However, Ireland’s Early Years sector is in crisis. Fees are high for parents, wages are low for educators and many services are struggling with sustainability. Everyone is getting a raw deal. The cause of the crisis is twofold.
Firstly, government is significantly underspending on childcare. Ireland spends just 0.2”%of GNI* on Early Childhood Education and Care compared to an EU average of 0.7% and 1.% in Sweden. This has resulted in Ireland having the second highest childcare fees for couples in the OECD and the highest for lone parents.
Secondly, the current market model of childcare does not support the development of high quality and affordable childcare. In fact, it places these demands in competition with each other. This has left providers, parents and educators caught in the vicious cycle.
In short, the Early Years sector requires (1) an overarching strategy, (2) a new funding model, (3) significantly increase funding and (4) an implementation plan.
Recommendations
To address the underlying issues of the childcare crisis and the immediate demands SIPTU is recommending:
The development of a radically reformed funding model for Early Childhood Education and Care1 that dramatically reduces fees for parents, ensures provider sustainability and underpins quality with decent wages for educators. Minimum pay and conditions should be supported by government investment and introduced via a Sectoral Employment Order.
Increase Early Years Education and Care from the current 0.2%of GNI* spending to the EU average of over a 5-year period. This would increase spending from €485 million in 2018 to €2.1 billion in 2023. Spending should increase to 1% of GNI* by 2027.
Develop and implement a ‘Continuous Professional Development’ plan in consultation with relevant stakeholders to support quality practice within the sector.
A timeline and a costed and funded implementation plan for the pending Early Years Strategy.
