Childcare provider strikes
Deputy Collins said many private early childhood providers might not return after Christmas because of strike action and lack of support. The Minister said there had been extensive consultation, major funding increases and he would ask for a direct reply.
Many private early childhood care providers will not be returning to work after Christmas due to strike action.
Most of these excellent providers face ruination. The answer of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to this huge crisis is that enough money is being spent on childcare. This may be the case for those down the line, but private early childcare providers are on their knees and have no political support from the Government. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, has shut the door on these providers and the parents who use the service. The only communication early childcare providers have got from him in the past month is a document for them to study over the Christmas period, outlining how it will cost €4,000 to €5,000 to do an audit. Something here stinks to the high heavens. I ask the Minister, Deputy Coveney, on behalf of thousands of early childcare providers, and these parents, to step in and immediately instruct the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to resolve this crisis before 8 January.
Comment on this
The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, was involved in extensive consultation before increasing the supports for both parents and childcare providers in the most recent budgetary decisions. He has delivered significant reductions in the cost of childcare for parents. He has also significantly increased core funding for childcare providers, having listened to the sector, and will continue to do so. I will ask him to come back on the specific question the Deputy asked, but there has been no shortage of consultation here.