NWCI calls for a new childcare model

Published: Tuesday, June 02, 2015

At the Presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, NWCI called on the Government to invest in long term, sustainable childcare solutions. 

The cost of childcare continues to act as a significant barrier to women’s equality in Ireland, impacting on the decisions women make with regard to - when to return to work, whether to work part-time or full time, the type of job to take up after unemployment, when their child will enter school and who cares for their children. Public spending on childcare and early education as a percentage of GDP is amongst the lowest in the OECD; the average is approximately 0.7%, while in Ireland we spend approximately 0.2%. Current provision in Ireland is not working to facilitate parents to combine work and family life.  It is also limiting the choices for women who wish to remain in employment. 

As we move out of recession, there is a significant opportunity to invest in a sustainable childcare model that will benefit children, mothers, fathers and families. 

To read the full press release, see here.