Families paying over €250 a week for childcare in Galway

Published: Thursday, October 24, 2024

In Galway, families are paying up to €252.50 per week for one child in full time childcare. For many, this is simply an unaffordable amount and places significant financial strain on households.  

In response to the ongoing childcare crisis, the National Women’s Council (NWC) is hosting a Town Hall meeting in Galway today (24th October) to discuss the urgent need for a public system of Early Childhood Education and Care. 

Attendees will hear the Together for Public Alliance’s proposals to address the childcare crisis and share their views ahead of the general election. NWC will also encourage the public to support their email action, urging political leaders to commit to a public childcare system in their election manifestos and in the next Programme for Government.

The event is part of NWC’s ongoing Together for Public campaign, which is supported by an alliance of over 30 civil society organisations, trade unions, academics, and childcare providers. The Alliance is calling for the delivery of a Public System of Early Childhood Education and Care as the best way to deliver affordable, accessible, quality childcare for children and families.

Rachel Coyle, Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation, NWC said:

"Childcare in Ireland has long been unaffordable and inadequate, placing an unjust burden on women, who cannot fully participate in society, often reduce their working hours or leave the workforce entirely. 

With the General Election imminent, we need a commitment from political party leaders to urgent and substantial change. Despite increased investment in recent years, our current childcare system has not delivered the accessibility or affordability that families need. 

She continued,

“Childcare must be available from the age that parents need it, including school-aged children. All children, irrespective of their background, any additional needs they may have or their location, should be entitled to early education and care. We need to see that reflected in legislation that guarantees a place for every child. Early years educators, the majority of whom are women, need decent pay and working conditions that is reflective of their training and experience to keep them in this crucial sector. The only solution to the childcare crisis is a public system, and we are calling on the political party leaders to commit to building that system, in their election manifestoes and the subsequent Programme for Government.”

Donal Swan, Women’s Economic Equality Coordinator said, 

“Our e-action campaign empowers women and families to make their voices heard and ensure that the Government cannot ignore the needs of families any longer. This is an opportunity for women and families to take collective action and demand a childcare system similar to other EU countries.

A public system would create a more equal Ireland and, when combined with better paid and longer family leaves and a right to flexible working conditions, would mean parents have real choices when it comes to caring for their child.”

The e-action campaign is available here: https://www.nwci.ie/make_public_childcare_an_election_issue

To have your say at the Town Hall event today, email Eilish Balfe at eilishb@nwci.ie or Donal Swan at donals@nwci.ie.

ENDS

For comment: Rachel Coyle or Donal Swan

Notes:

Figures quoted from 2022-2023 for one child in full time childcare (Pobal): https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMmE5OTViZmUtMmI1ZS00YjY0LWE3MjUtMDVlMDE0MjYwOWZmIiwidCI6ImFlYWU1NDM2LWE5OTctNDg5Zi1iMGUxLWFlMjgzY2VkNDdmNyIsImMiOjh9

Public Town Hall Event, SIPTU, Galway

What: Public Town Hall Event organised by Together for Public alliance

When: Thursday, 24th October at 7:00PM

Where: SIPTU, Bóthar Bhreandáin Uí Eithir, Galway, H91 NYW8

Speakers:

•    Fergal Landy, CEO Family Resource Centre National Forum

•    Avril Green, Chairperson of SIPTU the Early Years Union National Committee and early years educator

•    Rachel Coyle, Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation, National Women’s Council (NWC)

Registration: Register by emailing Eilish Balfe at eilishb@nwci.ie or Donal Swan at donals@nwci.ie.

About Together for Public

Together for Public is a campaign alliance for a Public System of Early Childhood Education and Care. Led by the National Women's Council, it brings together key actors and civil-society organisations, including trade unions, academics, childcare providers, children's rights, women's rights and anti-poverty groups.

Members of Together for Public include:

•    Aonta

•    Amal Women Ireland

•    CDI - Childhood Development Initiative

•    Community Platform

•    Community Work Ireland

•    Creative Kids Early Learning Centre

•    DCU Early Childhood Research Centre (DCU ECRC)

•    EAPN - European Anti-Poverty Network

•    Energy Service Union

•    Family Resource Centres

•    Forsa

•    Friends of the Earth

•    ICA - Irish Countrywomen's Association

•    ICTU - Irish Congress of Trade Unions

•    INAR - Irish Network Against Racism

•    INOU - Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

•    INTO - Irish National Teachers' Organisation

•    Irish Traveller Movement

•    Kildinan Preschool

•    Meath Women's Refuge

•    Men's Development Network

•    MRCI - Migrants Rights Centre Ireland

•    National Women's Council (NWC)

•    One Family

•    Pavee Point

•    Plé

•    Saoirse Domestic Violence Service

•    SIPTU

•    SPARK

•    Start Bright

•    SVP - The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

•    Tréoir

•    Unite the Union

•    USI - Union of Students in Ireland

•    Women For Election

Find out more on the Together for Public Webpage: https://www.nwci.ie/discover/what_we_do/together_for_public