The Early Years Union, SIPTU, has welcomed commitments to introduce public childcare provision from representatives of the various political parties who attended an online hustings debate on the ‘hot button’ topic for voters, on 26th November.
Early Years Manager and SIPTU Activist, Valerie Gaynor said: “As union members we campaign for quality services for children that are affordable and sustainable, with professional pay and conditions for educators. The only way to achieve this is by moving to a public model alongside high-quality private and community providers, and now politicians from all political parties agree with us. We need the next government to turn these commitments into action.”
SIPTU Head of Organising, Darragh O’Connor, said: “The issue of childcare provision is the ‘hot button’ topic in this election for families across the country. SIPTU members, parents and politicians all recognise that Early Years is a public good; it must serve the interests of children and families, not shareholders or international investment funds. The clear political consensus is that this can only be achieved by moving to a public model of Early Years, the next challenge for our union is to make sure the next government makes this ambition become a reality”.
Speaking at the online hustings, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Children and Minister of State, Neale Richmond, said: “We need a state-led Early Years education, and we (Fine Gael) have set out a plan to create, over the next five years, 30,000 new childcare places in state-run facilities”.
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, said: “The State needs to be far more involved and that is why I believe we do need to start to provide a public model. I think the state should be providing early learning and care, particularly in areas where we are lacking capacity right now.”
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, said: “I believe, long term we need a public model that will work, and you have to make sure the providers are included.”
Social Democrat Spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore, said: “Now is the time to build a really strong model of public Early Years Education and Care. We need a system that has quality at its foundation but also affordability and availability for parents, and we also need to have proper pay and conditions for the staff.”
Labour Spokesperson for Children, Marie Sherlock, said: “It is critical for us in the Labour Party to see Early Years educators effectively being directly employed by the State because, in the absence of that, I think we are going to have this ongoing situation where people go, and do their degree course, and within a matter of months the vast majority of the class do not stay in the sector”.
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children, Claire Kerrane, said: “We are committing to establishing an expert review to look at a public model of childcare. We have to make steps towards that public model.”
The online hustings is available to view by following the links below