Wicklow childcare data causes concern more providers will leave core funding
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Childcare Committee has highlighted the significant under provision of full-time childcare in Greystones, Delgany and Kilcoole with all creches currently operating long waiting lists.
Childcare facilities are well represented spatially in the district with 28 facilities spread throughout the area, pre-dominantly located close to or within existing residential developments.
The committee carried out research into the availability of childcare places in Wicklow in January 2023 and found there were no available childcare places in Kilcoole or Delgany, with four sessional places and nine part-time places available in Greystones.
All creches that were contacted indicated they were operating long waiting lists, with a need for sessional and part-time places. As a result, many children attend creches outside the catchment area in Bray due to the shortage of places within the facilities in Greystones, Delgany and Kilcoole.
There are currently four new childcare facilities that are constructed, or under construction, which are all located within Greystones and Delgany, providing up to an additional 182 places.
While it’s hoped these will provide much needed additional places, one of these facilities is in an estate yet to be fully developed, increasing the demand for even more childcare places.
The data is released as concerns grow about the impact on families as childcare providers begin to withdraw from the government’s core funding scheme.
The scheme, first introduced in September 2022 is designed to improve affordability for parents and improve quality through better pay and conditions for the workforce by supporting agreements set out by the Joint Labour Committee.
It also aims to improve sustainability of services.
Over 92pc of services are currently signed up in year three of core funding.
Participation in the scheme is optional, but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
In a recent parliamentary update provided by Children’s Minister Norma Foley, figures showed that 38 services have withdrawn from core funding since its introduction nearly three years ago, five of those are based in County Wicklow.
Reacting to the figures Green Party spokesperson for children and equality, councillor Lourda Scott, expressed serious concern about the impact on families.
"The news that several centres, including some in Shankill and Dundrum, are pulling out of core funding is deeply troubling. Parents are now facing sudden and unaffordable fee increases. Families are already under pressure with the rising cost of living. It’s a serious blow for parents who are now left scrambling for solutions.
“This risks the collapse of services in communities where childcare options are already limited, particularly in rural and commuter-belt areas like Wicklow. The lack of childcare places in the area is raised constantly to me.”
Cllr Scott said the scheme has been a critical step in moving towards a public childcare system in Ireland.
“Core funding has started the shift to a publicly funded model. For the first time, public money is going directly into childcare services to make them more affordable, improve staff wages, and bring stability to the sector.
“The Government must not do back on these commitments now. It must build on this progress and commit to long-term public childcare. Without that, we return to a system where fees keep rising and staff leave.”
Cllr Scott stressed that withdrawing from the scheme is not a decision providers take lightly.
“When services say they can’t survive under the current model, the Government must listen. In many areas, losing even one service can leave families with no childcare at all. The Government must immediately step in and increase investment to keep providers in the scheme and keep services open. Childcare is not a luxury. It is a public good, just like education and healthcare.”
Cllr Scott added the stress on parents to find and pay for childcare has been going on for decades.
“In Wicklow, services are already incredibly difficult to come by. Any further losses could leave families with no options. The Government must act now to protect existing services, expand provision, and make sure parents aren’t pushed out of the workforce because of a lack of childcare. There is no time to delay.”
“The scheme is a strong start, but it must be properly supported to work on the ground and not just on paper.”