Charity demands action on childcare provision
The Government must act immediately on the findings of a new report on Early Childhood Care and Education, a leading charity demanded today.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul urged early and effective implementation of the recommendations contained in a National Economic Social Forum report, which was sent to members for final approval today.
Professor John Monaghan, SVP vice-president, said a single government department must be appointed to enact an early childcare services strategy as a matter of priority.
“Our experience on the ground confirms the urgent need for a significant improvement in the whole area of early childhood education and care,” he said.
“For many years, the society has invested tens of thousands of euro and thousands of ‘volunteer-hours’ in education support programmes with children in disadvantaged areas.
“We know the positive impact of such programmes on the potential of young children and the significant improvement in life-chances they experience as a result,” he added.
SVP supports education in a variety of ways including running Breakfast Clubs, After School and Homework Clubs, education grants to help with school clothes, books and equipment and resource centres.
“The NESF draft report (to which SVP contributed) contains a range of excellent and essential recommendations which must be acted on,” Prof. Monaghan said.
There has been no lack of policy statements from government departments in the past dealing with these areas with practically no implementation or delivery, the society claimed.
The society agreed with the NESF that a single Government department now needs to be appointed with responsibility for implementing an effective ECCE strategy as a matter of priority.
“Strong, visionary leadership is called for to tackle this vital aspect of our national life,” Prof. Monaghan said.
The society called for Government action in three particular areas:
:: Parental leave – to be provided for a child’s first year of life to be implemented over four years through a mix of maternity leave, additional leave and parental leave.
:: Universal access to early education – to be rolled out beginning with the most disadvantaged children and made available for each child over three within five years. Initially to be 20 hours a week for 48 weeks a year. In the second five years, to be rolled out to two-year-olds.
:: Targeting disadvantaged children – the NESF Report recommends particular attention be paid to providing multi dimensional supports to disadvantaged young children.
“Disadvantaged children are among our most vulnerable citizens, and the present education system is failing them badly,” Prof. Monaghan said.
“This NESF report clearly maps out the right steps to ensure that all of the children of our nation actually are cherished equally.”
Green Party spokesperson on family and social affairs Dan Boyle also called on the Government to act immediately on the issue of childcare.
“The Green Party welcomes the Government’s belated recognition that the need to meet the cost of childcare is and has been a pressing issue in Irish society for some time,” he said.
