Minster James Reilly was interviewed today on Newstalk about the new high-level group of civil servants which begins work today on a more integrated way to fund childcare in Ireland.
Reporting back by summer
The minister said that the group would report back to him by the summer so that there would be time to make the findings available to government so that they could consider the estimates thereafter.
The childcare and early education sector is relatively young
He said that if the economy continues to recover that he wanted to make sure that any funding that might be spent this area would be spent in the best way for children and parents and in a way that gives them the best outcomes. Dr. Reilly went on to say that the childcare and early education sector is relatively young in this country and that we are already investing a sum of 260 million euros annually in the sector. He admitted that the sector has developed in a piecemeal way and said that through this group he wants get all the required information needed to achieve improved outcomes for children. This, he said, includes those children with special needs in terms of their learning, wellbeing and development. The minister said that they want to support parents in caring for their children and that this group will give the information to achieve this.
How we compare to other countries
He was then asked about the fact that some Nordic counties invest 1% of their GDP in their childcare sectors and we invest one quarter of that. Should we spend more? The minister said that OECD quotes 0.2% is invested purely in childcare… but there are “other factors” which bring the actual investment in childcare up to 0.4% which is double the OECD figure. He admitted that this still not as much as it should be. That’s why, he said, the job of this new group is to clarify the goals for public investment and to review the investment in light of the goals. The group would analyse evidence of best practice both here and abroad to realise the goals.
An Election Issue?
The minister was the asked would this become an election issue? He answered this question by saying the report was not to be left hanging on shelves. He said the difference here is that the group made up of a lot of different departments including Taoiseach, expenditure education, social protection, and jobs.
Can’t afford to work?
When asked what he would say to the parent with the unfortunate choice of staying at home even thought they want to but can’t afford to work…. or to the parent who only goes back to work to put all of the earned money back into childcare: He said there was a meeting of a group that will answer these questions and give the best answers to that parent and to government. He said today is not the solution but the beginning of a process to achieve the best outcome for our children. Part of this groups goals is to help such parents who wish to go back work or struggle to go back to work.
Second Preschool Year
When asked about the second free preschool year not being available until 2020 and why it takes so long: The minister said it was guaranteed by 2020 but it probably would not take that long. He said that this new group will examine this issue. He admitted that people who work in the sector are concerned that the current year needs to be sorted out to achieve quality and that, again, this group findings will go a long way towards achieve that.
Is 3 hours ECCE long enough?
The issue was raised that parents are saying it’s 3 hours a day and is not enough. The was put to him that 3 hours was simply adding extra logistical challenges to busy parents and that perhaps you would have to be at home to benefit from it? He said the 3 hours ECCE free preschool year actually works and delivers and all evidence points to that. He said he’s aware it’s only 3 hours a day from being on the doorsteps of his area and he recognised that there are challenges. He, again, said that this is part of the issue that this group will examine. He said if we extend the length of the day to the child that it’s counterproductive as they would need to be “in a different type of care setting” for any more than 3 hours a day.
You can listen to the full interview on the news talk website here
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