Brian Lenihan has told a conference in Dublin today the "fragmented nature of policy development" and a "lack of co-ordination of service delivery" made childcare in Ireland a real "source of concern."
The Minister for State with special responsibility for children was speaking at the opening of the "New Approach to Childcare" conference this morning. The conference, organised by Senator Mary White, is addressing several childcare themes ranging from early childhood education to work-life balance.
Minister of State Brian Lenihan
"As opportunities for employment increase and social changes in family and community take place, there are new challenges to be faced by parents and children - and we as policy makers, service providers and parents need to work together in the face of these challenges," he said.
He added: "However, childcare provision in Ireland continues to be a source of concern. The primary difficulties are articulated in the OECD Report on Early Childhood Care and Education, which refers to the fragmented nature of policy development and the lack of co-ordination of service delivery.
"Their report also highlighted that this fragmentation coupled with the complexity of the situation means there are issues about identifying the current level and variety of provision and the extent of need."
The Minister said it was in this context that the Cabinet Committee on Children asked the National Children’s Office (NCO) to chair the high-level working group on early childhood care and education to develop an integrated Government response to the issue of childcare.
"As part of the work of this group, the NCO has commissioned an economic analysis of the various options on cost effectiveness, enhancing supply and promoting affordability. The high level group is to report back to the committee shortly," he said.
He added: "The group is also developing a policy framework, which is broad but distinctively child-centred. That is, a framework within which children’s outcomes are paramount and the role of families and communities emphasised. It is in this way, as a society, that we can develop a social policy which supports our economic competitiveness."
The conference runs until 3.30pm this afternoon. Other speakers include Nuala nic Giobuin, co-ordinator of the Dublin City Childcare Committee; Dr Margaret Fine-Davis of Trinity College Dublin; and Esther Lynch, policy and legislative Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.