The UK government is slated to infuse the childcare sector with a €30 million funding boost next year, according to Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children. In a recent statement to the combined Oireachtas committee on children, the Minister cited an upsurge in demand for childcare services as a fresh challenge facing the sector.
He attributed the rising requirement to the government’s success in making childcare services more economical for parents, which has led to more parents seeking to avail these services. Nevertheless, he noted that dealing with the capacity problem is now a top priority.
O’Gorman revealed a forthcoming announcement detailing a capital funding venture valued at €30 million, available from early next year. He suggested that these funds could be used either to extend existing community or private services, or to erect completely new locations.
Fianna Fáil’s Carlow TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor imparted to the committee tales of families forced to drive an hour each way to drop their child off at a nursery, due to the lack of availability locally. She expressed the stress of waiting lists and the strain it placed on families. People often had to rely on neighbours, family friends or grandparents to look after their children as they could not secure a place at a local creche.
Upon his appointment, O’Gorman identified three primary obstacles in the childcare domain: excessive fees for parents, underpaid staff, and negligible income for providers. The government has since undertaken a multitude of measures to tackle these issues. As a result, childcare fees will be slashed by half as of September, and there have already been two pay deals secured for staff. In addition, a substantial increase of funding for the services has been initiated.