SIPTU officially launched its landmark document, A Roadmap for Affordable Early Years, yesterday (Wednesday, 15th July) at Leinster House. The research outlines a transformative vision to resolve Ireland’s ongoing childcare crisis and how government can deliver on its commitment to €200 a month childcare.
The comprehensive document, presented to TDs and Senators from across the political spectrum, warns that the current market-led model is failing families, workers, and providers alike.
SIPTU is calling on the Government to transition to a system that caps fees for parents, guarantees professional pay scales for educators, and secures long-term sustainability for services.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Diane Jackson said: “ The current childcare funding model is a ‘leaky bucket’ where state substantial state investment does not full translate into lower fees or higher pay. Our Roadmap robustly sets out a new funding model that can deliver the government’s commitment of €200 a month childcare fess, while ensuring value for money for the Exchequer.”
SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising Darragh O’Connor, said: “The current system is pushing Early Years Educators out of the profession due to low pay, while parents face mortgage-equivalent fees just to go to work. Our Roadmap launched yesterday provides a clear, actionable blueprint to fix this. We cannot rely on a broken market to deliver a vital public service. The Government must commit to a publicly funded model that values both the educators who shape our children’s futures and the families who rely on them.”
Chairperson of SIPTU – the Early Years’ Union, National Committee, Avril Green, said: “SIPTU is urging all political parties to adopt the proposals laid out in the Roadmap for Affordable Early Years ahead of the next budgetary cycle and general election, framing early years care as a fundamental right rather than a commercial luxury.”
Link to roadmap here