New CORE Funding Proposals Cut Income of ECCE Services, Force 21 Closures Already
Speaking in the Dáil today, Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has said new CORE funding proposals discriminate against nearly 50% of childcare providers, with 21 providers announcing their closure in response to the cuts.
An Teachta Tóibín: “Ireland is quite simply an outlier in terms of the dire state of our childcare sector. Parents, providers, even the children are at the end of their tether waiting for sustainable funding to the sector. In PQs submitted by Aontú, we have found out that 789 childcare providers have closed their doors since 2017 – predominantly ECCE services and small providers. These providers have not been replaced.
Covid-19 saw the government decimate provider income, whilst concurrently shackling providers to debt mountains to stay open. Over 338 providers – that we know of – were forced to close during Covid-19. New CORE funding proposals supposed to mark a turning point. Instead, the proposals were delayed for months before finally being published to great disappointment. ECCE providers accounting for nearly 50% of total childcare providers saw their funding cut. Small providers saw their incomes hammered. All amidst a cost of living crisis, and where running costs for providers have increased by 70% in a decade.
Since the new proposals, 21 providers have announced they will close their doors. In Waterford, two creches have shut their doors leaving the parents and children stranded. This story will become more and more common, due to the refusal of successive FFG governments to properly fund childcare in Ireland.”
