Frustrated creche owner ‘100% not satisfied’
PARENTS have been handed a 25% cut in childcare fees, but those providing the services are adamant that there’s nothing in it for them.
Hazel Curran, owner of Amy’s House creche in Galway, says she’s ‘100% not satisfied’ with the Budget’s childcare provisions.
‘We’ve been given information on funding in millions – we don’t actually know where that money is going,’ she explained.
‘There’s been no clear direction – it’s ridiculous to have not been given any clear indication as to what we’ve got.’
Childcare workers who marched on Leinster House last month said their essential services were struggling to survive.
Since March alone, 97 childcare providers have been forced to close.
And for creche owners like Hazel, the Budget doesn’t appear to be providing any solutions.
While the Government has been clear that parents will see a 25% decrease in their childcare costs, Ms Curran insists that this won’t help creche owners or their workers.
Since the core funding model was introduced, Hazel’s creche has had to freeze its fees – meaning they’re still at 2015 levels.
Meanwhile, the cost-of-living crisis has caused costs to skyrocket, forcing her to close all but two of her nine rooms.
‘I was the only creche in the area to take babies, but I’ve had to close my baby room – and I won’t be opening it until the Government figure out their funding,’ she explained.
‘I just can’t afford the costs.’
Hazel said she has been given no clear indication that the Budget has any provisions for her and other owners at all.
While the Federation of Early Childhood Providers is set to meet with Minister O’Gorman this morning, Hazel says if clarification and help from the Government is not given, childcare providers will be forced to take further action.
‘We have to,’ she said. ‘We’re fighting for our services here, we have to have viable businesses.
‘If they want us to provide quality childcare, there needs to be the funds to do it.’