Letters to the Editor: Early childhood and care system must be universal, inclusive, and affordable
A public system of early childhood education and care is essential to address fundamental issues within the sector. File picture: iStock
We are members of the Together for Public Alliance, a campaign group of more than 40 organisations brought together by the National Womenâs Council, representing womenâs and menâs groups, childrenâs rights groups, academics, trade unions, equality and human rights groups, and anti-poverty groups, all united in our call for a public system of early childhood education and care in Ireland.
As negotiations to form a new government come towards their conclusion, we are once again reiterating our call for a commitment to introduce a public system of early childhood education and care (ECEC), including the rollout of publicly delivered services alongside community and private provision, to be included within the new programme for government.
A public system of ECEC is essential to address fundamental issues within the sector. International experience has demonstrated that public ECEC delivers better outcomes for children, supports families and womenâs participation in all facets of society, and ensures fair pay and conditions for educators. These models provide a wealth of evidence and practical experience which Ireland can draw upon.
This is not a new conversation. The need for reform has been extensively consulted on and well-documented, with stakeholders consistently highlighting the benefits of a public system. Now is the time to drive forward the delivery of these promises through a bold and decisive programme for government.
Recognising the commitments made by Fianna FĂĄil, Fine Gael, and others in their manifestos in the recent election, we believe the next programme for government should include commitment to:
- Establish an implementation group to introduce a public system of ECEC through addressing affordability, access, and conditions for educators, guaranteeing ECEC and school-age childcare through legislation from the age families need it;
- Invest in a publicly-delivered ECEC system, with 30,000 new public places delivered by 2030;
- Cap fees for families at âŹ200 per month and provide additional supports for low-income families;
- Assume state responsibility for staff wages, and in doing so guarantee fair pay and conditions for early years educators, aligned with their skills, qualifications, and experience.
The Together for Public Alliance is eager to support these efforts and to work with the new government to ensure the successful implementation of a system of high-quality early childhood education and care that is universal, accessible, inclusive and affordable for all children, women and families.
From: Orla OâConnor, director, National Womenâs Council Ireland, Dublin 7; Dr Salome Mbugua, CEO, AkiDwA, Dublin 1; DearbhĂĄil Lawless, CEO, Aontas, Dublin 6; Niera Belacy, project manager, Amal Women Association, Dublin 8; Kieran Christie, General Secretary, ASTI, Dublin 8; Marian Quinn, CEO, Childhood Development Initiative, Dublin; Tim Hanley, coordinator, Community Platform, Dublin; Rachel Doyle, national director, Community Work Ireland, Co Galway; Valerie Gaynor, manager, Creative Kids & Co, Dublin 12; Bronagh Duff, provider, Creative Kids Early Learning Centre, Dublin 12; Professor Mathias Urban, Early Childhood Research Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin 9; Karan OâLoughlin, general secretary, Energy Service Union (of Ireland), Dublin 2; Paul Ginnell, director, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland, Dublin; Fergal Landy, CEO, Family Resource Centre National Forum, Co Galway; David Joyce, equality officer, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Dublin 1; Bukky Adebowale, policy education officer, Irish Network Against Racism (INAR), Dublin 1; Rebecca Gorman, head of policy and media, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, Dublin 1; Maeve McCafferty, senior official/equality officer education, Equality, Research and Learning, National Teachersâ Organisation, Dublin 1; Phil NĂ Sheaghdha, general secretary, Irish Nurses Midwives Organisation, Dublin 7; Jacinta Brack, coordinator of communications, political advocacy and campaigns, Irish Traveller Movement, Dublin 2; Minna Murphy, early education provider, Kildinan Preschool, Co Cork; Frances Haworth, CEO, Meath Womenâs Refuge & Support Services, Co Meath; SeĂĄn Cooke, CEO, Menâs Development Network CLG, Co Waterford; Bill Abom, co-director, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, Dublin 1; Maria Joyce, coordinator, National Traveller Womenâs Forum, Dublin 1; Karen Kiernan, CEO, One Family Ireland, Dublin 7; Martin Collins, co-director, Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, Dublin 1; Dr Sheila Garrity, chair of PLĂ and assistant professor, School of Education, University of Galway, Co. Galway; Darragh OâConnor, head of strategic organising and campaigns, SIPTU, Dublin 1; Leah Speight, SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids), Dublin; Elaine McQuillan, CEO, StartBright, Dublin 22; Louise Bayliss, head of social justice and policy, The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Dublin 1; Damien Peelo, CEO, Treoir, Dublin 1; Taryn Trainor, regional womenâs & equalities officer, Unite the Union, Dublin 1; Katie Deegan, communications coordinator, Women For Election, Dublin 7; Sarah Benson, CEO, Womenâs Aid, Dublin 2; Lily Fox, communications co-ordinator, 221+ Patient Support Group, Dublin 4
One would have had grave fear for our elderly demographic as we learned of snow warnings during the week. There was concern that tens of thousands of elderly people could have been left without food and medication as the freezing weather developed. Temperatures have been down as low and as minus eight. Many thousands of homes were without power and without water too.
It was a challenging outlook for people, particularly for the elderly, the vulnerable, and for those living alone. Age Action Ireland was advising older people to stay warm and to keep their heating on.
This advocacy organisation is letting people know that if they have any difficulties with energy bills, there is some help available. Ostensibly they can apply for the new fuel allowance for over 70s, and they can get forms at post offices regarding same.
It was also really nice that the younger generation were encouraged to take the time to call on their older neighbours to check that they were OK.
Even if one doesnât know their elderly neighbours well, one could drop in a card with a telephone number on it.
I believe that itâs good that our elderly neighbours know that there are people out there who care, especially if oneâs electricity is suffering an outage. I believe that itâs really just a case of looking out for older people who may be living on their own and who may not have friends or family living nearby.
Happy New Year 2025 you say. There are many whoâd say, we would if we had a house, a home, or could afford the electricity bill, the fuel bill, the gas bill, and the food bill, not forgetting the phone bill, the petrol bill, car repair bill, and the jimâll fix it bill, after weâve paid the insurance bill, the doctorâs bill, the medical bills, the bank bill, and the undertakerâs grave savings bill. Did I leave anything out? Oh yeah, the education bill, the accommodation bill, and the tuition bill. But letâs get our priorities right, all of those only after weâve paid Arthurâs bill.
Before Trumpism begins to further undermine democracy and international law, countries must start to stand up against his threatening autocratic behaviour.
Already France has shown a principled stance. Its foreign minister, Jean Noel Barrot, in no uncertain terms, has denounced the rise of this dangerous autocracy in the US when he stated on French radio âwe have entered an era when we are seeing the return of the law of the strongestââ.
Not alone is this new âismâ a return to the dangerous political philosophy of âmight is rightâ but it is reinforced and propped up by the richest men on the planet who believe they have carte blanche to rule the world in their interests by the power of their almighty dollars.
We, who are so dependent on the whims of these same rich tycoons, have no choice but to adopt a principled stand against the rise of this 21st-century version of fascism.
While it may look different its threat to destabilise the rest of the world is as dangerous as ever it was in past history.
It is a testing time for our democratic nations. However, there is no choice for those who stand for the rule of international law and justice but to band together and resist these powerful, mega-rich men who believe their riches give them some divine right to overturn democracy in favour of the plutocracy.
As a victim of the latest strain of this god awful winter bug, I cannot help but think of those in cold, flooded, flimsy tents, also unwell, with no comfort, warmth, or safety. Of a mother who wakes to find her newborn frozen to death, of the children who wish to die already, of the children being forcibly starved, all the time wondering will it be their tent targeted tonight by a US/Israeli bomb?
And with utter horror I see that the Central Bank of Ireland is facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds, which by Israelâs own words, supports their so-called âwarâ, which we all know is a genocide, confirmed recently by Amnesty amongst others.
Credit to you for your report â âProtest over Central Bank role in Israel Bond approvalâ (Irish Examiner, January 7) â for raising awareness. How on earth is this complicity allowed to continue? Especially as now, Ireland has declared it will join South Africaâs genocide case against Israel with the International Court of Justice. How?
