Parents may find the process of securing spots in childcare easier come this autumn, as the Children’s Minister, Roderic O’Gorman, vows to increase the capacity in Ireland’s childcare network in the forthcoming months. This announcement was made at the Bloom Festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Friday.
O’Gorman drew attention to his department’s endeavours over the past four years, which have squarely centred on elevating the quality of childcare services in Ireland. These efforts include cost reductions, pay raises for childcare practitioners and increased investment.
As evidence of this progress, he flagged that midway through last year, childcare expenses were reduced by approximately 25 percent on average. A similar cost decrease is due later this year. Furthermore, nearly 75 percent of childcare professionals experienced a rise in income, while the sector has benefited from over €300 million in supplemental budgeting through central government allocations.
O’Gorman noted, “Upon stepping into the role of Children’s Minister, I identified three clear objectives – lower costs for parents, better wages for childcare professionals, and greater investment in childcare services. We’ve seen exceptional progress of these goals over the past four years.”
In addition to this, he mentioned that an estimated 800 childcare providers nationwide will be recognized as Equal Start services starting September. This will allow them extra funding to hire additional staff, lower the child to teacher ratios, and permit childcare professionals to engage more directly with the children.
O’Gorman acknowledged that availability continues to be a “substantial issue”, and as a result, this year will see him “prioritising an expansion of capital grants destined for childcare services to facilitate their further development.” He stipulated that an additional €15 million will be ready for capital grants this year, a figure set to double by 2025. “We’re liaising with local authorities to ascertain that once planning permission is acquired for a childcare service, it’s actually delivered,” he stated.