Mary recently supported Childcare providers outside Leinster House raising awareness again on the need for better childcare provision for all. Mary highlighted the main prohibitive elements around childcare services currently; access, affordability and value, and sustainability. She asked that the Minister brief the Seanad on his Childcare provision plans. Read Mary’s previous contributions on this…
Tag: childcare
Childcare Funding
Mary welcomed the report from the Expert group on Childcare this week and the Government has accepted its recommendations. Highlights of the report include: €270Million extra funding to the sector which will help to Control fees, which have been a barrier for so many parents. Improve pay & conditions for this dedicated work force. It…
Lockdown Childcare
NPHET has advised that preschool and afterschool childcare is safe to operate during level 5 lockdown however in an effort to reduce movement which spreads the virus only children of essential workers and vulnerable children should attend. For more information on the definition of essential workers, vulnerable children and other related issues click HERE
Early Childhood
Rising to the Challenge As a mother of three children Mary is acutely aware of the value of a positive childhood experience. Early childhood in particular is of critical importance to parents, policymakers and our wider society. Mary is happy to do all she can to support three proposals from Early Childhood Ireland which will…
Hyde & Seek
UPDATE Mary has made further representations to the Dublin City Childcare Committee asking for their assistance to meet parents childcare needs. In response they provided a list of Childcare Service Providers, attached HERE. Mary also asked them to identify and secure possible properties for a replacement childcare service in the area, should alternative care become…
Hyde & Seek
Mary organised a meeting for parents whose children attend Hyde & Seek with Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Children Anne Rabbitte TD. The objective of the meeting was to discuss parents’ concerns over Tusla’s decision to close the creche on December 20th 2019. Priority for parents is provision of safe, secure and happy childcare for children…
Government u-turn on ECCE policy welcomed
Working on behalf of children with special needs Mary called on the Minister for Children to abandon the Governments proposal to do away with the Overage Age Exemption from the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme from September 2018. Mary said the proposal to remove the Overage Age Exemption from the ECCE scheme would severely disadvantage children with special…
Childcare
As a mother of three children I understand the emotional, logistical and financial stress of trying to secure caring and affordable childcare. Our policy aims to support working parents and children from all backgrounds. You can read the full policy here https://www.fiannafail.ie/issues/childcare/or watch this 60second video where out I outline the key points. If you…
“Gender Quota” legislation should be scrapped.
From the outset I believed the “Gender quota” legislation introduced by Minister Phil Hogan on behalf of this Government was fundamentally flawed. It is a poor response to the under representation of women in the Dáil. It requires all political parties to field minimum 30% female candidates at the next General Election or face a significant cut…
Minister Charlie Flanagan must prioritise affordable childcare and address inadequacies in the childcare sector
The leader of the Fianna Fáil Group on Dublin City Council, Mary Fitzpatrick today urged Minister Charlie Flanagan to make affordability of childcare and reform of sector a key priority on his appointment to the role of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Cllr Fitzpatrick said “Childcare costs now account for the largest monthly expenses for many families – in…