According to a survey by Early Childhood Ireland, 69% agree that all parents should be financially supported to stay at home for the first year of their child's life.
The nationwide childcare strike in recent weeks has brought the topic of childcare into the minds of people everywhere.
Childcare workers and parents alike participated in the protest, arguing that an increase in funds, support and conditions were drastically needed in Ireland's childcare sector. They feel insurance costs are too high and there aren't enough providers.
A survey conducted recently by Early Childhood Ireland has found that almost 7 in 10 adults in Ireland (a whopping 69%) agree that parents should be financially supported to stay at home for the first twelve months of their child's life.
According to the Early Childhood Ireland website,
"The Barometer, which seeks to track public attitudes to early years care and education, is based on a nationwide RedC Research poll of 1,004 adults conducted between 18 and 25 January 2018."
According to the Journal.ie, some parents claim that they are being charged a fee equivalent to their mortgage in monthly childcare payments.
Other findings in the survey included:
- 75% of respondents felt the education of children under five is just as important as the education of children over five.
- 65% felt childcare should, similarly to primary education, be available free to all children.
- 57% felt that parents should only pay for childcare in line with their overall income, while only 23% feel that parents should be fully responsible for the cost of childcare.
These findings are the reason that Director of Policy and Advocacy with Early Childhood Ireland Frances Byrne has argued that the next government need to take notice of these results and accept that childcare is a "redline issue for families all over Ireland". (source: Journal.ie)
She also said that the next government simply "must make these issues a priority."
