PRINGLE CALLS FOR QUALITY PUBLIC CHILDCARE SYSTEM

Thomas Pringle TD has called for the creation of a quality public childcare system integrated into the education system, following an opposition motion this week calling for childcare supports.

“Childcare costs and the availability of places in affordable childcare are the biggest barriers for women in particular in accessing the workforce.

“I believe that we need to have a system where pre-school and childcare should be provided along the lines of the education system in the country. An integrated childcare and education system is the only long term and sustainable solution.

“Every week I meet women both lone parents and married, who are being put under pressure by the Department of Social Protection to be actively seeking work, who cannot access, not only affordable, but any childcare that would allow them to access work if there was any work out there for them.

“Childcare costs account for 29% of a couple’s net income and 51% of a lone parent’s income. In the EU the comparable figures are 9.8% and 9% respectively. A family in this state with two children in full-time childcare will spend over €16,000 pa.

“The use of relatives is the most common form of non-parental childcare in this state with only 27% of children being cared for in centre-based care. This clearly shows that cost is the major factor in parents accessing childcare.

“The solution to this problem is not I believe the piecemeal system of supports for childcare as outlined in the motion by Fianna Fáil, a system of social welfare provision and tax breaks. This will only continue to fragment the childcare provision in the state and will not provide for long term solutions.

“So if we want to provide quality childcare and a decent standard of living for childcare workers we need a new model, a model based on public provision and integrated into the education system,” stated Pringle.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

•