Majority of Irish adults want the new government to prioritise investment in childcare

Childcare Barometer 2020 also shows significant support for the creation of a single, dedicated childcare agency

The third annual Early Childhood Ireland Childcare Barometer, published today, indicates that 71 per cent of adults in Ireland want the next government to prioritise greater investment in childcare.

84 per cent of adults strongly support the establishment of a single, dedicated agency to oversee early years and school age care in Ireland. This would replace the current system where childcare providers are required to report into seven different government agencies and Departments.

The Childcare Barometer 2020 also reveals that:

• 72 per cent of adults believe the Department of Children and Youth Affairs should continue as a full government Department, rather than being downsized or merged by the next government;
• 72 per cent of adults agree that the education of children under 5 is as important as the education of children over 5;
• 67 per cent believe that, similarly to primary education, childcare should be available free to all children.

The trends reflect the results of previous editions of the Childcare Barometer in 2018 and 2019, which also showed wide public support for early years.

In welcoming the findings, Frances Byrne, Director of Policy and Advocacy with Early Childhood Ireland, said “We are delighted to publish the 2020 Early Childhood Ireland Childcare Barometer. For the third year on a row, it shows significant and widespread public support for greater investment.”

Ms. Byrne continued, “Childcare is a redline issue for families all over Ireland. Decades of historic underinvestment have led to a status quo in which providers are underfunded, staff terms and conditions are poor, and parents face high fees. This year’s Barometer reflects a broad desire for a better approach to childcare in this country, including the establishment of the first ever dedicated agency for our sector.”

Ms. Byrne concluded, “While we await the formation of the next government, the Early Childhood Ireland Childcare Barometer 2020 presents a ready-made mandate to political leaders. It is clear that the care and education of our youngest citizens is hugely important to Irish families. We urge all parties to closely note these findings and to commit to a 10-year programme of radically enhanced investment in childcare. The next government must make this a priority.”

Click here to view the full Childcare Barometer 2020 infograph