16/12/2025
FOR THE URGENT ATTENTION OF ALL TDS, SENATORS, PARENTS AND ANYONE WHO HAS A REAL CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE OF CHILDCARE IN IRELAND
Tomorrow in Dublin, MINISTER NORMA FOLEY, will launch the following documents;
Action Plan on Affordable, High-Quality, Accessible Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, Phase 1
The Action plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification for Early Learning and Care and School-Age
We need to point out to all that for either of these documents to work, it would be imperative to ensure that the main cog in the wheel, as in providers, services and the staff are part of and vital to any development of any action plan. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. In fact, most may not even know that this launch is taking place, or indeed that a new Action plan is being developed! Apart from the total and utter dis-respect Minister Foley has shown towards the childcare providers in launching plans about our sector, the sector that so many of us are passionate about and need and want to work: to launch Action plans without consultation or involvement of the main stakeholders is simply deplorable.
In relation to the Action plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification let us point out:
There would be no subsidies to parents if the hard working services did not do all the administrative work in order for them to receive the subsidies.
The question must be asked how people can from outside our sector, develop an Action plan without the input of those of us that have to work it? If Minister Foley says that an Advisory Group was set up involving the sector’s organisation groups - Let us be very clear: having spoken to many of these organisations, the group had NO HAND ACT OR PART in the Action Plan!
Many of our sector, be it providers, managers or staff, attended meetings around the country in relation to a report that was to be established around the administrative burdens. We as a sector are still waiting, thousands of euros later for this Report to issue!!!
Just so the Minister and her officials know, that our parents, staff, managers and the general public will be aware of; this week in Childcare services across the Country, we are providing festive celebrations to the most important part of this, the children and would not be in a position to attend any “launch” of Action plans.
Childcare will not work for anyone in this country until such time as respect is shown to the hard working professionals providing it, and true and meaningful partnership is developed. We cannot continue to receive information or plans for our sector via public launches and media.
So, Minister Foley, enjoy your photo opportunity tomorrow and the spin that will come with it. Meanwhile, we on the ground will continue as best we can, and for as long as we can, to provide the affordable, high quality, accessible Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare that parents and children expect of us and that Minister Foley should be supporting.
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