Ireland

Ireland on Line

Plea Over Free Pre-Schooling for Children
26/09/2005 - 14:17:55

The Government must move to ensure every child in the country is given a year’s free pre-schooling following a major new study on childcare, it was warned today.

Caoimhghin O’Caolain, a Sinn Féin TD, said the Government must act on the National Economic and Social Forum’s (NESF’s) report on childcare in the forthcoming Budget and fully implement its recommendations.

“The National Economic and Social Forum has clearly identified the massive deficit in the provision of early childhood care and education in this state,” Mr O’Caolain said.“Despite the economic boom the Government has failed to ensure adequate care and education for the 10% of the population under six years of age.”

The NESF’s report advocates the adoption of a 10-year strategy to develop early childhood care and education services.The report calls for free pre-school or early childhood care and education session for each child for a year before they go to primary school at a cost of 136 million euro (£92m) a year to the state.

It recommended maternity leave be extended by two weeks over the next five years – ensuring by 2009 women will be entitled to the payment for 26-weeks.

Labour Party Senator Kathleen O’Meara said the role of the Government must be to support parents in their choices for childcare.“While Ireland is now one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, we lag behind most other EU members when it comes to the provision of childcare facilities,” Ms O’Meara said.“Maybe now the Government will sit up and take notice, instead of ignoring the childcare crisis as it has for years.”

Mr O’Caolain hailed the NESF’s work as a landmark report and in particular he welcomed the recommendations of ongoing quality development in policy, infrastructure and service provision.“Very importantly, the NESF provides a cost-benefit analysis that shows that for every euro invested in early childhood care and education a return of 7.10 euro (£4.80) can be expected,” Mr O’Caolain said.

“This report must not be allowed to gather dust on a shelf as the Government has done with previous key NESF recommendations. It now provides a focus for all those campaigning for the rights of children.”

The NESF report found Ireland continues to rate among the lowest investors in ECCE, with public investment standing at less than 0.2% of GDP, compared to an EU average of 0.5%.

The report also advocates that all new primary schools should include campus-style development, and all childcare workers should be required to be accredited.

It was also recommended for those parents who do not wish to stay at home for the baby’s first year access to quality early childhood education and care service should be provided.