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The survey found that 61% of managers think their facility may have to reduce capacity due to staff shortages

Childcare facilities face closure over lack of staff

A third of childcare managers say their facility could face closure in the coming months due to an inability to recruit qualified workers, a new survey has found.

Ireland • 09 Sep 21

48% of respondents said that more women than men had requested for changes to their working patterns to facilitate caring responsibilities

More women than men seek flexible working hours

More women than men have asked for flexible hours to look after their children during the pandemic, according to a survey by employers group Ibec.

Business • 19 Apr 21

When the pandemic struck, providers were able to access the Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme

Return of overpayments to childcare providers sought

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has sought immediate recoupment of overpayments from early years' providers, according to the small firms group ISME.

Coronavirus • 11 Nov 20

In our final episode of the Series, Ella and Richard take a look at the Childcare sector in Ireland.

Open For Business - the Irish childcare sector

In the final episode of the series, Ella and Richard take a look at the Childcare sector in Ireland and also hear from brand new business hopefuls around the country.

Open for Business • 26 Aug 20

A survey found 69% of providers are running at a loss.

Childcare providers seek Govt support to stay open

Concerns have been raised by childcare providers as the majority of businesses say that they will not be able to remain open without Government support.

Childcare • 15 Jul 20

Leo Varadkar said the Government wanted to ensure the childcare sector is 'fully up and running' by the autumn

Two-thirds of créches apply for support for reopening

Two-thirds of créches or childcare providers have so far applied for State support to reopen their doors.

Coronavirus • 09 Jul 20

Additional staff will be needed because of the additional health and safety requirements

Crèche owners warn Covid committee of reduced capacity

Crèche operators have warned that they may have to reduce capacity in some facilities because new staff will not be covered by the State's Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.

Coronavirus • 23 Jun 20

The document will pledge to speed up a process that would ultimately lead to a new State-led model of childcare

Childcare fees to be capped under govt programme

Childcare and crèche fees will be capped to ensure the same level of care regardless of parental income under a new approach contained in the draft programme for government.

Politics • 15 Jun 20

The Government has announced a €75m funding package for the sector

Childcare providers asked not to hike fees on reopening

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has said childcare providers availing of a new €75m funding package for the sector must enter into a contract to guarantee they will not increase the fees charged to parents.

Coronavirus • 10 Jun 20

Children from the same household should, where possible, be in the same pod

Childcare availability to be expanded from 29 June

Childcare facilities will be open to all parents who need childcare in order to return to work from 29 June, subject to capacity.

Coronavirus • 29 May 20

Childcare is scheduled to open on a phased basis for essential workers on 29 June

Soothers and blankets face ban in reopened creches

Childcare centres could be forced to reduce the number of items brought in by children to prevent Covid-19 infection when they reopen.

Coronavirus • 15 May 20

There were 206,000 children in childcare settings on 12 March

Childcare providers seek clarity on how to re-open

Childcare providers have said they need clarity on how they can re-open in phase 3 of the Government roadmap to easing Covid-19 restrictions, due to start on 29 June.

Coronavirus • 10 May 20

A 'conservative' estimate suggests there are over 100,000 essential workers with children

Many essential workers struggling to pay for childcare

Facilitating adequate childcare for essential employees is critical to ensure that Ireland can continue to respond to the Covid-19 crisis, according to the Economic and Social Research Institute.

Business • 08 May 20

The HSE says there is no special paid leave available for Covid-19 caring arrangements

HSE: No special paid childcare leave for staff

The HSE has confirmed that frontline healthcare workers who cannot attend work due to childcare difficulties will be paid to stay at home, on the basis that they remain available for work from home in other roles.

Coronavirus • 29 Apr 20

The issue of childcare has raised significant problems for the HSE

Health staff without childcare to be paid to stay home

Healthcare workers who cannot find childcare will be allowed to stay home to mind their children and be paid, unions have been told.

Coronavirus • 28 Apr 20

Early Childhood Ireland says it has sought urgent clarification on the status of the plans from Government

Early Childhood Ireland seeks clarity on wage subsidy

Up to a third of workers in childcare settings could go unpaid over Easter due to delays in establishing a wage scheme for the sector, the organisation representing those working in it, has warned.

Ireland • 07 Apr 20

Childcare facilities have been closed since 13 March and are not due to reopen till 19 April at the earliest

Childcare sector in 'serious trouble' - survey

The childcare sector is in serious trouble according to a Federation Early Childhood Providers survey.

Coronavirus • 27 Mar 20

Organisers say the sector is 'at breaking point'

Thousands take part in protest over childcare 'crisis'

Tens of thousands of early childcare providers, educators, and parents took part in a protest in Dublin city centre calling for greater government investments in the sector.

Ireland • 05 Feb 20

Childcare providers say many are in danger of closing down because of rising costs

Extra support payment from Govt for childcare providers

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has announced a once-off support payment for childcare providers in recognition of the additional administration costs the services have faced this year.

Ireland • 18 Dec 19

Over 1,000 providers are directly affected by the increase, which comes into effect from January

Some childcare facilities may shut over insurance costs

Childcare facilities say they may be forced to increase fees for thousands of parents in the New Year, while some providers say they may be forced to close because of big hikes in insurance renewal quotes.

Ireland • 17 Dec 19

Ireland is a relatively less attractive destination for workers - Ibec.

Economic growth stretching services - Ibec

The employers' group Ibec has warned that bottlenecks in transport, housing and childcare are making it more difficult for companies to hire and retain workers.

Ireland • 02 Dec 19

Tusla said if there was a child protection issue the parents would have been notified

41 childcare providers have high risk rating - Tusla

A total of 41 childcare providers across the country currently have a high risk rating, the child and family agency Tusla said today.

Politics • 06 Nov 19

New figures show average childcare costs up nearly 4%

Figures released by the Minister for Children show the average full-time childcare fees recorded in May were €184 per week, an increase of 3.6% from the same time last year.

Ireland • 27 Sep 19

Martin Quigley, author of the report, which found that there are more children in crèches and centre-based care than ever

More children in crèches than ever before - survey

A crisis in childcare provision is coming down the tracks because of a shortage of places and growing demand, according to a group representing the sector.

Ireland • 25 Jul 19

Research finds that cutting the cost of childcare leads to an increase in paid working hours

High childcare costs 'lead to fewer working mothers'

More mothers would engage in paid work if childcare costs were lower, according to new research by the Economic and Social Research Institute.

Childcare • 04 Sep 18