Jennifer Horgan: For the sake of Ireland's children, let's march in solidarity with their carers

People spend four years attaining professional qualifications but they can’t afford to live on the wages

Eithne Scally at Village Montessori School in  Blackrock, Cork: 'Working in the sector can be extremely rewarding but staff need to be rewarded too — there is a staff shortage in the sector. People have spent four years attaining professional qualifications but they can’t afford to live on the wages. Picture: Larry Cummins

For years now, I’ve wondered why Ireland is so obsessed with the Leaving.  It’s possible that we view it as a starting point, a giant milestone that calms our national nerves, prompts a massive societal exhale. All is well. The future is in safe hands. The kids are alright.

But if we really want to know or predict society’s future, we need to go back further, way back before a child is anywhere near school-going age.