News Archive

Early Years Alliance calls on government to reverse decision to cut funding to services

Date Released: 30 January 2020

The Early Years Alliance has called on the Government to reverse the decision to cut funding to Early Years Services which are closing to allow providers and staff to attend the childcare protest in Dublin next Wednesday (5th February) but opening on an alternative date.

Chairperson of the Association of Childhood Professionals, Marian Quinn, said: “Early Years services have always been able to change the days they open and keep their funding. However, when it comes to a day of protest the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has said it will not allow services to change their opening days, despite it being common practice.”

Federation of Early Childhood Providers Chairperson, Elaine Dunne, said: “The Early Years Alliance is calling on the Government and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, to maintain the current practice and reverse the decision not to allow services open on an alternative date.”

SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising and Campaigns, Darragh O’Connor, said: “There is a real crisis in childcare. More than 60% of Early Years educators earn less than the Living Wage of €12.30 per hour. Parents are paying some of the highest fees in Europe and many services are struggling with sustainability. These are the reasons thousands of educators, providers and parents will be marching on Wednesday 5th February in Dublin.”

The Early Years Alliance protest will assemble at Parnell Square, Dublin 1, on Wednesday 5th February at 11.30 a.m. The protest march will conclude in Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

The Early Years Alliance is an umbrella group consisting of the Association of Childhood Professionals, the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, the National Community Childcare Forum, the National Childhood Network, Seas Suas and SIPTU.