‘100,000 new childcare places needed by 2016’
The two organisations joined together to call for a strategic vision and integrated approach from Government to create a childcare system suitable for Ireland’s growing economy.
The organisations launched a joint 10-year strategy with recommendations for action to deal with supply of places, quality of childcare, affordability, institutional responsibility and planning requirements.
The report includes 14 key recommendations agreed by IBEC and ICTU as priorities for the delivery of a comprehensive childcare service.
These include:
Dealing with childcare as part of the country’s essential infrastructure.
Adopting a 10-year strategic plan with identifiable targets, including a target for 100,000 additional childcare places by 2016 (for both pre-school and school age children).
Investment to increase supply, with a new programme to follow the current Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme.
Measures to support a diverse range of childcare options including crèches, childminding and after school activities.
A voucher-type system to assist working parents with affordability.
Initiatives to improve quality of childcare and to increase the proportion of childcare provided through the formal economy.
Recommendations on training and career progression in the childcare sector.
Measures to support companies who are involved in childcare initiatives.
Continuing to develop the role of the City/County Childcare Committees.
ICTU spokesperson David Joyce said yesterday: “The implementation of the recommendations in this report could make a significant difference to working parents and their children by creating real and high quality options for families.”
IBEC’s director of European and Social Policy, Maria Cronin, added “It aims to empower local communities so that practical solutions can be focused on local needs and priorities.”
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