Put childcare back on political agenda, says union
Childcare has fallen off the political agenda, according to trade union IMPACT.
A recent survey by ICTU found that despite the high cost of childcare for parents, many of the country's 30,000 childcare workers are on very low wages.
The union said today that sector to be professionalised and better funded by the State.
Professor Helen Penn, an internationally renowned expert on the professionalisation of early years services, said that initiatives in Britain started by the last Labour government saw a sea-change in the industry.
She said that it is vital that the next Irish Government implements strong policy, and invests in chidcare.
IMPACT deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan, says childcare appears to be slipping off the agenda of those in talks to form a Government.
"We haven't heard anything about this, despite the fact that it was a big issue in the election, so that needs to change we want more focus on the really important need for investment in childcare services," he said.
"We are way below the OECD average and indeed the recommended levels of investment in childcare, and that's really what will drive up standards and quality and which will ensure that we achieve the professionalisation of the services."
