Increased investment in childcare sought

The organisation’s pre-Budget submission includes a call to increase Exchequer spending on childcare to 0.5% of GDP by 2023 and to 1% by 2025.

Early Childhood Ireland, the leading organisation in the early years sector, has written to all TDs in Cavan and Monaghan this week, asking for their commitment to ensure investment in the childcare sector is increased in Budget 2021.

The organisation’s pre-Budget submission includes a call to increase Exchequer spending on childcare to 0.5% of GDP by 2023 and to 1% by 2025.

The organisation is calling for investment over the coming year to focus on retaining the Employment Wage Support Scheme (EWSS) for the childcare sector.

Early Childhood Ireland supports 3,800 childcare members nationwide, who – in turn – support over 100,000 children and their families. There are 61 Early Childhood Ireland members in Cavan and a further 52 in Monaghan.

Commenting, Frances Byrne, Director of Policy with Early Childhood Ireland, said: “Substantially increased investment for early years and school-age childcare must be an immediate and sustained focus for the new Government. Budget 2021 will be the first test of how well they meet this challenge.

“Ireland has consistently remained at the bottom of the class when it comes to investment in childcare. According to the OECD, we invest the least amount in early years of any developed country as a percentage of GDP.

“In Budget 2021, as well as increasing funding for childcare, the Government must also state how it plans to increase investment to 1% of GDP over the next four years. If the Government is serious about their commitments in the Programme for Government, then a multi-annual plan is needed.

“We are calling on TDs in Cavan and Monaghan to back our call for increased investment in childcare in Budget 2021. Our members in Cavan and Monaghan and nationwide will continue to engage with local politicians on this issue between now and Budget Day on 13th October.”