Childhood Services Ireland calls for increased State investment in childcare

Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), the Ibec body that represents childcare providers, has responded to a survey carried out by trade union Siptu on childcare provision in Ireland.

Speaking about the survey Darragh Whelan, Director of CSI, said: “Pay and conditions is one of the factors that is impacting recruitment in the childcare sector. Although a new funding stream commenced for childcare providers in September 2022, much of this has been lost to inflationary pressures leaving less funding available for wage increases.

Childcare providers are doing their best to retain staff, but the funding simply is not there. The parental fee freeze means childcare providers have no means of increasing the income to the service to address pay and conditions so the only answer is that the State increases investment in childcare.”