Childcare
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15 days ago
Children's Minister announces €300m package for early learning & childcare
Roderick O'Gorman said the funding package will enable providers to continue to operate with lower capacity and extra operating cost.
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19 days agoDublin creche reports first case of Covid-19 since reopening
A memo sent around to parents said the person 'was present in the creche for only one day'.
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20 days agoOne third of childcare workers earning less than before Covid
A SIPTU survey shows that 29% of workers have taken a hit on their earnings
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21 days agoThousands of children without daycare after recent creche closures
An industry group said it expects more closures to follow, with reduced capacity for social distancing making many businesses unprofitable.
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22 days agoChildcare fees will 'definitely go up', according to creche owner
Providers say they will have to be increased due to higher overheads and more regulation.
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47 days agoNurses split from children for eight weeks, committeee hears
Nurses moved their children and didn't see them for up to eight weeks during the Covid-19 outbreak, the Oireachtas committee on the virus has heard.
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47 days agoIreland has greatest reliance on private childcare services in OECD
OECD data from 2017 showed that Ireland, alongside New Zealand, had the highest percentage of children attending private services at 99%, well above the OECD average of 34% and EU average of 27%. Picture: PA Ireland has the highest level of private childcare services in Europe and among OECD countries as well as a lower than average level of government investment.
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48 days agoCovid-19 has 'exacerbated' problems for childcare providers who want long-term plan
Childcare providers are warning that the Covid-19 pandemic has exasperated struggling services and that a detailed long-term plan is needed for the sector.
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73 days agoChildren over-6 to ‘keep apart’ in play pods
Children older than six will be asked to keep a distance between each other in play-pods under plans issued to providers for the reopening of childcare facilities.
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87 days agoChildcare providers seek clarity on plans to reopen; Department 'developing and costing proposals'
Childcare providers and operators have expressed concern about how services will operate under Covid-19 restrictions, after a proposed scheme was scrapped this week due to concerns around insurance cover, infection risk, and other issues.
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87 days agoUnions seek talks as childcare scheme crumbles; Department 'focused on developing solutions'
Unions representing healthcare staff are seeking talks with the Department of Children after a much-needed childcare scheme for thousands of frontline staff crumbled this week.
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94 days agoNo State indemnity in frontline workers' childcare plan
The Government's new childcare plan for frontline health workers will not include a State indemnity for childcare providers to cover Covid-19 related claims.
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115 days agoEarly education providers in danger of never reopening
Fears that services may not re-open after government move
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172 days agoHyde and Seek chain of crèches advertises for permanent staff
Hyde and Seek was ordered to close its four branches last year.
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178 days agoSurvey shows two-thirds want free childcare for under-fives
A survey has revealed two out of three Irish people want free childcare for the under-fives.
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186 days agoThousands of childcare workers protest against pay and conditions
Campaigners called for a new deal for those who look after children.
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186 days ago1,700 creches closed in protest at high fees and low pay
More than 1,700 creches around the country will close today in protest at high fees and low pay in the childcare sector.
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192 days ago'Underfunded and ignored for years': Childcare workers protest outside Simon Coveney's office
Early education is undervalued, underfunded and has been ignored by successive governments, according to childcare workers protesting outside the Táinaiste’s constituency office.
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192 days ago'We are paid as glorified babysitters' - Creche staff ahead of wage protest
Creche workers have said they are being treated like glorified babysitters by the Government.
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201 days ago'If I were a childcare worker I would join a union', says Katherine Zappone
Katherine Zappone said that she is calling for an extra €150m per year over the next five years to intensify investment in the sector to make it affordable for families and children.
