Childcare Doesn’t Begin & End with Preschoolers; Government Must Outline Overall Childcare Strategy

20th November 2005

Deputy Catherine Murphy (Ind) while welcoming the news this week that Minister for Finance Mr Brian Cowen TD is to make a significant budgetary allocation aimed at tackling the current childcare crisis has highlighted that the Government must take a more multifaceted approach to families if the childcare crisis is to be solved in the long-term. “It’s important to give praise where something has been done right so I do welcome the fact that Minister Cowen will be tackling this issue in some way in next months budget. But equally let’s not be dazzled by once off payments, this Government along with every other government to follow needs to prioritise childcare but looking at all aspects of family life and the lives of working parents.

“There is no doubt that available affordable childcare for working parents is where the current emphasis is, the expectation that aspects of both will be addressed in the budget is a direct response to public pressure during the Kildare North and Meath by elections. Affordability is particularly acute for those with several children and for pre school childcare in particular. For working parents however making practical arrangements for school holidays, after school activities even getting children to and from school can be the difference between a parent remaining at work full time if finances allow such a choice. This is where flexible work environments and work practices for parents can deliver dividends and must be supported by any comprehensive childcare policy.”

It is clear that working parents cannot continue to be seen as economic drones but must be considered as working parents who with their families function within communities. Connecting up the requirements such as after school homework clubs, safe and secure recreation options such as places for children to play for both younger and older children together with affordable available childcare is the kind of environment that allows parents to feel secure in leaving their children in the care of others.

The Taoiseach speaking in the Dail recently hinted that the issue would not be resolved in one budget, what will be needed is for Government to outline its intentions not just for 2006 but where that fits in with the broad strategy on childcare. Deputy Murphy concluded by saying that childcare places are only the tip of the iceberg and that the government must invest across the board both financially and practically within communities to allow for a more flexible working life for parents and a more integrated and multifaceted approach to childcare provision.

ENDS

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Posted by admin on November 20, 2005. Filed under Latest News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.