Clear support amongst voters for a public system of early childhood education and care

Published: Thursday, October 31, 2024

Over the last two weeks, voters from every county have sent thousands of emails to political party leaders urging them to commit to a public system of early childhood education and care. 

This public call for change was facilitated through an easy to use e-action tool set up by the National Women’s Council (NWC). The action is part of NWC’s ongoing Together for Public campaign for a public system of early childhood education and care, which is supported by an alliance of almost 40 civil society organisations, trade unions, academics, and childcare providers.

Momentum has truly grown on the issue of early childhood education and care with the Labour Party, Sinn Fein, People Before Profit and the Social Democrats directly replying to the emails from voters, outlining their ideas for tackling the childcare crisis. As of today, voters are still waiting to for a response to their email from the other political parties, including Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party. 

Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council said, 

“With a General Election imminent, public childcare has truly been put onto the political agenda with thousands of emails sent to political party leaders. There is a clear mandate for political parties to act and outline their proposals for tackling the childcare crisis during the General Election campaign and in the next Programme for Government”

She continued,

“Our current system of childcare is not fit for purpose and needs substantial change.  We know that the best way to deliver affordable, accessible quality childcare is through a public system of early childhood education and care, similar to our primary school system. 

This system would guarantee a place for every child, no matter what their needs are or their parents background. It would ensure adequate pay and working conditions for early years educators. And it would provide the flexibility and choice that in particular women need in order to participate fully in our society.”

Orla O’Connor concluded,

“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.” 

NWC’s E-action tool is available at: https://www.nwci.ie/make_public_childcare_an_election_issue 

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For more information, please contact Aoife O’Donoghue, NWC, at aoifeod@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: . 

• Aoibhneas Domestic Support for Women and Children  
• AONTAS
• Amal Women Ireland
• ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland)
• Childhood Development Initiative (CDI)
• Community Platform
• Community Work Ireland (CWI)
• Creative Kids Early Learning Centre
• DCU Early Childhood Research Centre
• Energy Services Union
• European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
• Family Resource Centre National Forum
• Financial Services Union
• Friends of the Earth
• Fórsa
• Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA)
• Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
• Irish Network Against Racism (INAR)
• Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU)
• Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO)
• Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO)
• Irish Traveller Movement
• Kildinan Preschool
• Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services
• Men's Development Network
• Migrants Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI)
• National Women's Council (NWC) 
• One Family
• Pavee Point
• Plé (Irish Association of Academics in Early Childhood Education and Care)
• Saoirse Domestic Violence Services
• SIPTU Early Years Union
• SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids)
• StartBright Early Learning Centres
• Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
• Treoir
• Unite the Union
• Union of Students in Ireland (USI)
• Women For Election

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