Public childcare must be a priority for the next Government

Published: Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Alliance of over 40 organisations reminds newly elected TDs of their election promises

18th December 2024

Under the slogan ‘All we want for Christmas is public childcare’, the campaign alliance, Together for Public, gathered outside Leinster House today (Wednesday, 18th December 2024) to remind newly elected TDs of their commitments in relation to childcare, calling on them to prioritise the move to a public system of early childhood education and care in the next term and Programme for Government.

Together for Public, which is being led by the National Women’s Council, brings together over 40 civil society organisations, trade unions, childcare providers and academics who want to see a public system of early childhood education and care in Ireland. What is a reality in so many other European countries, must become a reality in Ireland with enormous benefits for children, women, families and early years educators. 

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWC said,

“The message from voters during the election campaign was loud and clear. Our current system of childcare is broken and we need the next Government to fix it. Many parties outlined their ideas in relation to childcare for the next political term and we are here today to remind them of their commitments.”

She continued,

“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. The best way to deliver an affordable, accessible, quality childcare place for every child is through a public system. Similar to our primary school system, a public system of early childhood education and care would guarantee a place for every child, no matter the child’s background, their needs and where they live. Early years educators, the majority of whom are women, would have decent pay and working conditions that are reflective of their training and experience.”

She concluded,

“Women and families cannot wait any longer. With Government formation talks in full swing, the time to act is now. We have the resources and we have the vision, we now need to see real leadership from all political parties and newly elected TDs to champion public childcare.”

Members of the Together for Public Alliance include:

National Women’s Council (NWC); 221+ Patient Support Group; AkiDwA; 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); 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

 

Ends/

For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Head of Communications, NWC, Tel. 085 858 9104.

Notes:

What: Christmas themed photo call with members of Together for Public

Where: Kildare Street outside the Alliance Française

When: Wednesday, 18th December 2024, 10 am

 

About the National Women’s Council

The National Women’s Council is the leading national representative organisation for women and women’s groups in Ireland, founded in 1973. We have almost 200 member groups and a large and growing community of individual supporters.

The ambition of the National Women’s Council is an Ireland where every woman enjoys true equality and no woman is left behind. This ambition shapes and informs our work, and, with our living values, how we work.

We are a movement-building organisation rooted in our membership, working on the whole island of Ireland. We are also part of the international movement to protect and advance women’s and girls’ rights. Our purpose is to lead action for the achievement of women’s and girls’ equality through mobilising, influencing, and building solidarity. Find out more on www.nwci.ie