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Saturday 1 April 2023 Dublin: 9°C

# Childcare

Last month
March 2023
# UK Budget
'Brexit pubs guarantee' and free childcare, what was in the UK's Budget?
The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer has frozen the duty on draught pints and promised up to 30 hours per week of free childcare for eligible households.
This year
2023
# gfa 25
Events to mark Good Friday Agreement anniversary planned amid speculation over Biden visit
There has been much speculation about whether the US President will visit Northern Ireland for the anniversary.
# Childcare
Families in the North more reliant on friends and family for childcare than those in the Republic
Care by family and friends is much more comment in the North at 39%, while this figure is only at 6% in the Republic.
# Your Say
Poll: Have you benefited from Budget 2023?
A number of measures announced in September took effect this week.
Last year
2022
# Childcare
Strike action by childcare providers tomorrow cancelled as meeting with Minister planned
Childcare providers have claimed they have been marginalised by the Government’s new core funding model.
# Protest
Childcare providers to strike over 'inadequately addressed' funding issues
The Federation of Early Childhood Providers informed thousands of parents of the closure
# budget 2023
Minister hopes parents using childminders will benefit from cheaper childcare next year
Roderic O’Gorman says some childminders are concerned about what a new regulatory system will mean for them.
# budget 2023
Childcare: Reduction of up to 25% announced in costs under National Childcare Scheme
It will cost €121 million and save families up to €175 a month.
Voices
Opinion: The new childcare ‘Core Funding’ is positive news but more is needed in the budget
Regina Bushell of Seas Suas childcare group says recent changes are to be welcomed, but Budget 2023 must not forget the sector.
Voices
Opinion: No one told me that childcare is the true engine of creative work
Erin Fornoff on how she wrote a play while living on a sinking barge with a toddler – and no childcare.
# together for better
New funding model for childcare will freeze this year's fees at 2021 rates
Roderic O’Gorman said that Together for Better would benefit children, parents and workers.
# Labour Think-In
Bacik says Ireland should copy Germany's €9 monthly public transport fare initiative
The Labour Party is holding its first think-in since the resignation of Alan Kelly as party leader.
# Childcare
Childcare fees should fall by 50% over the next two Budgets, says minister
Minister Roderic O’Gorman said his focus is on improving affordability for parents in this year’s Budget.
THE MORNING LEAD
Childcare fees will fall for the vast majority of parents under 'big' Budget package
A report by
Christina Finn
Childcare providers have warned of further closures due to a delay in a funding scheme.
Tánaiste says freezing childcare fees 'is not enough'.
Parents are paying out nearly €800 per month per child for childcare.
Childcare providers warn of closures due to funding delay.
Double child benefit payment, welfare hikes and tax changes - here's what to expect in the Budget
# Gender Equality
Sinn Féin tables proposals to cut cost of childcare by two thirds
The party launched their childcare policy this afternoon.
# Childcare
'Overlooked' childcare providers protest over funding
Higher inflation and historically low funding are leading to many services falling into ‘real financial difficulty’, a leader in the sector said.
# Childcare
Creches say planned fee freeze for childcare costs in September 'unworkable'
Under the Government’s core funding model, fees will be frozen at the rate that was in place in September 2021.
Government's 'objective' to cut childcare costs before Christmas - Taoiseach
Martin warned that the toughest period in this crisis could be wintertime.
# baby on board
Pilot 'baby bundles' to be given to new parents
The bundles will be distributed to 500 newborns and their parents.
# Cost of Living
Housing is government's 'biggest failure', Social Democrats say at national conference
Members of the Social Democrats convened today for its first in-person conference since 2019.
# cost of childcare
Parents paying nearly €800 in monthly fees per child in childcare, report finds
A new report finds that the average weekly fee nationally per child for full day childcare is €186.84.
# capping fees
Government to reduce childcare costs 'considerably' in the next Budget
Childcare fees will be capped at September 2021 levels if a deal can be done on pay and conditions.
Childcare fees will be capped at September 2021 levels if a deal can be done on pay and conditions.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says increased subsidies should be used to reduce costs considerably for parents.
Government believes a reduction in the cost of childcare 'will help with cost of living'.
Would it work here? The countries finding success in key aspects of childcare
Increased State spend on childcare 'not enough' to solve crisis for parents and providers
# Inflation
Living wage proposals to be brought to Government before summer, says Varadkar
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said indexing the tax bands further is needed now more than ever.
# Childcare
The Explainer x Noteworthy: What can be done to improve childcare in Ireland?
Noteworthy’s Peter McGuire and Professor Mathias Urban tell Susan Daly about the challenges facing Ireland’s childcare system.
# Childcare Crossroads
Would it work here? The countries finding success in key aspects of childcare
As part of a Noteworthy and The Good Information Project deep-dive into childcare, we look to how other countries are managing the sector.
THE MORNING LEAD
Increased State spend on childcare 'not enough' to solve crisis for parents and providers
A report by
Peter McGuire
A legal right to a childcare place, a purpose-built afterschool system and dramatic hike in public funding would help create a sustainable model.
Cost of childcare in Ireland is among the highest in the EU and parental leave entitlements among the worst, writes Peter McGuire.
This Noteworthy and The Good Information Project deep-dive finds that planned State investment will not deliver a sustainable, universal, model of care.
While the ECCE preschool scheme deemed a success, care for under-3s and primary school children is inconsistent.
# broken
'It's put me off having more kids': Your stories of childcare in Ireland during the pandemic
We asked parents to share their stories. Here’s what they told us.
# Your Say
Poll: Should there be a network of State-run childcare centres?
The need for affordable childcare has consistently been highlighted as an issue for working parents.
# Get in touch
What kind of difficulties have you faced with childcare? We want to hear your story
Whatever your situation is, we want to hear what change you’d like to see to the current childcare system.
All time
# Childcare
Antigen testing programme to be rolled out for early learning and childcare services from tomorrow
Tests will be available to children aged four and over and staff in a pod where there’s a confirmed Covid case.
# No Child Left Behind
Childcare providers hold Dáil protest over children 'falling through the cracks'
They say services are “chronically underfunded”.
# Childcare
Fine Gael sets out major new childcare policies
Fine Gael is calling for a ‘major re-prioritisation’ of early childhood by the Government and policymakers.
# Your Say
Poll: How do you think the State should fix issues with accessing childcare?
Readers have shared their difficulties in trying to access childcare services.
THE MORNING LEAD
'I have no idea who will mind my children': Readers' stories of Ireland's childcare crisis
A report by
Lauren Boland
We asked readers to share their experiences of trying to find childcare in Ireland – here are their stories.
Every year, tens of thousands of parents around the country seek out childcare, but many say it has become an increasingly difficult search.
We asked readers to share their experiences and struggles with childcare in Ireland.
Here are their stories, collected by Lauren Boland.
Call for increased investment in early years childcare sector, especially for under threes
Opinion: 'Formal childcare for small babies in Dublin is a fiction. It effectively does not exist'
# Get in touch
Have you faced difficulties finding childcare for your young child? We want to hear your story
We want to piece together the picture of what finding childcare looks like in Ireland – here’s how you can take part.
# Early Years
Call for increased investment in early years childcare sector, especially for under threes
Teresa Heeney described the situation for new parents as “unacceptable”.
Voices
Opinion: 'Formal childcare for small babies in Dublin is a fiction. It effectively does not exist'
‘Ask your Ma for help’ is not a good public policy for childcare in Ireland, writes Liz Carolan.
# Childcare Costs
Unicef: Ireland one of the most expensive countries for childcare as half of salary is average cost
Ireland is in line with other rich countries such as Switzerland and New Zealand in the cost to care for two children.
Voices
Opinion: Without a public childcare model there can be no equality for women
The National Women’s Council says inadequate State investment in childcare has led to an unsustainable system in crisis.
# the good information project
'Your mammy brain and working woman brain should not be in the same room': Work and childcare after Covid
The Citizens Assembly has recommended a publicly-funded childcare model in future to address the high cost parents face.