All Party Committee on Future of Childcare Needed
Labour TD for Cork East Seán Sherlock, speaking on the first sitting day of the 33rd Dáil has called for the establishment of an all party committee on the future of childcare and the early years sector.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“Today the new Dáil met, and many TDs have spoken, but what the people want to see now is action on the issues. As Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs I heard first hand the deep concerns of voters about the Irish childcare system.
“That is why I am seeking political consensus, in a non-partisan way, on the establishment of an all party committee on the Future of Childcare and the Early Years sector.
“The cost of childcare, shortage of places, insecure wages, and the impact of increased costs on providers was an issue across the country. Voters made that very clear.
“The Labour Party proposed a new public childcare model that we would like to see progressed, but every other party also put forward their own proposals.
“What we need now is a unified approach to the issue, and I hope in the weeks ahead that discussions can be focused on reaching a political consensus on the future of the early years sector.
“Parents, workers and providers all need clarity on this now. The costs to parents and status of workers, many of whom live on less than the living wage was a constant issue on the doorsteps. Let’s give them the answers they deserve by working together on real solutions.”