A new campaign is calling on the Government to begin the process of reforming the childcare system in Budget 2022.
SIPTU, together with a coalition of eleven early years and civil society organisations launched the 'New Deal for Early Years' campaign today, which highlights the need for improved services for children, families, workers and providers.
"The current childcare system is simply not working," said Darragh O'Connor, Head of Organising at SIPTU.
"It must be reformed in order to create high quality, affordable and accessible services for children and families which are delivered by qualified educators with professional pay and conditions.
"Despite their qualifications, most Early Years educators earn just above the minimum wage and parents are paying the highest fees in the European Union," he said.
Chairperson of PLÉ, Dr Sheila Garrity, calling on the upcoming budget to address what she calls the "laggard" position of Ireland concerning the quality and funding of early childhood education and care.
"Our youngest citizens deserve better," she said.
She added that high quality services must include a professional workforce.
"This can only be achieved with significant state investment," she said.
Early Years educator and SIPTU activist, Eilish Balfe, said that many educators can't afford to stay in their profession.
"We are qualified professionals but most of us earn below the living wage of €12.30 per hour," she said.
She said this has resulted in high staff turnover rates, which she said is "undermining the quality and sustainability of services for children."
The organisations involved in the 'New Deal for Early Years' campaign are SIPTU, National Women’s Council, National Childhood Network, CRANN Support Services, National Community Childcare Forum, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, OMEP Ireland, Further Education Teachers Network, Association of Childhood Professionals, Men In Childcare, PLÉ and SPARK.
