Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan has called on the Minister for Children to intervene after parents in his constituency were notified of substantial hikes in creche fees by their childcare provider.
Deputy O’Callaghan, who represents Dublin Bay North, said:
“A large number of parents have been put in the invidious position of choosing between paying increased childcare fees or giving up work after the Little Rainbows group – which runs creches in Donaghmede, Artane, Baldoyle and Santry – announced it is to pull out of the Government’s core funding scheme.
“This is despite the fact that the two companies behind the chain made millions in profits in recent years and significantly benefitted from Government Covid support grants.
“As many as 600 children attend these creches and the increased fees – up to €80 extra per child each week – will place an intolerable financial burden on these families.
“It seems unreasonable to me that parents should be left in the lurch just because a highly profitable company arbitrarily decides it no longer wants to participate in the Government’s core funding scheme.
“The parents at the centre of this crisis have my full support. I am now calling on Minister Roderic O’Gorman to intervene in this case and engage with the operators of Little Rainbows with a view to finding a solution.
“This situation shows that our childcare system is broken and highlights the need for a publicly funded model that puts children and families first.”
August 20, 2024