Parents might find it easier to secure creche places for their children from the autumn with the Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman committing to boosting capacity across Ireland’s childcare network in the months ahead.
Speaking at the Bloom Festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Friday afternoon he highlighted his department’s efforts over the last four years aimed at improving childcare services in Ireland, including reducing costs, increasing pay for childcare workers and expanding funding.
He pointed out that at the beginning of last year childcare costs were cut by an average of 25 per cent, with a similar cut coming down the tracks later this year.
He added that almost three-quarters of childcare professionals saw their income increasing, while more than €300 million in additional funding has been provided to the sector from central government funding.
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“When I became Minister for Children I set out three clear aims – cut cost for parents, increase pay for childcare professionals, and have better investment for childcare services. Over the last four years we’ve had major delivery in each of those.”
He also pointed to around 800 childcare services around the country that would be reclassified as Equal Start services from September. “They’ll get additional funding for extra staff so they can bring down their children to teacher ratios and childcare professionals can intervene more directly with children.”
He accepted that capacity remained “a major issue” and said he would be “focused this year [on] expanding the capital grants to childcare services so that they can expand”.
He said that this year there would be an additional €15 million available for capital grants, a sum that would double in 2025. “We’re working with local authorities so when planning is granted for a childcare facility we can ensure it is actually delivered.”
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