Parents must be reassured and new approach needed on childcare
Labour Children & Youth Affairs spokesperson Seán Sherlock has called for urgent action by the Minister, and Tusla, to address the shocking revelations on RTE Investigates last night, and said it shows we need to look at a new approach to childcare in Ireland.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“As a parent, it was impossible to watch the full programme last night due to the distressing revelations shown. What parents need now is reassurance. That means an urgent legislative response, and powers provided to Tusla to strip funding from creches that don’t abide by the rules.
“Parents should also be immediately informed by right, of any negative findings against a creche that looks after their child.
“It’s also time to question and scrutinise the entire model of childcare in Ireland. The State must take a stronger role, and examine the potential of rolling out publicly run and owned, non profit childcare facilities. The vast majority of facilities and providers are professional, safe and provide top quality care but the State funds primary and secondary schools, and maybe now is the time to look at publicly provided childcare.
“The level of profits made by the creche chain shown last night demonstrates that there is a clear incentive to cut corners and profit off parents and children. Until that changes with stronger regulation, and increased oversight and management by the State we will see cases like this again.”