News
‘Returning to education as a working parent is daunting’
15+ hour, 23+ min ago (412+ words) (MSc in advanced practice at the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery) "Mom, you're never too old to learn new things." It's something my three children remind me of regularly " and it's a sentiment I have clearly taken to heart....
Stay-at-home parent role now valued at more than €60,000 a year
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (615+ words) It would cost about "60,112 per year to "employ" someone to do the myriad of jobs carried out by a stay-at-home parent, according to new research. The report from Royal London Ireland, a provider of life insurance and pensions here, showed…...
Childcare firms seek to raise €250,000 to fund legal challenge to pay-setting process
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (605+ words) Three childcare operators behind a proposed legal challenge to the minimum-wage-setting mechanism in the sector have told other such firms they want to raise "250,000 to fund their judicial review. But Together for Early Years, an alliance of stakeholders in the…...
‘We’re just in limbo’: Defective concrete puts Donegal childcare centres under huge stress
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (1424+ words) In the space of two years, a playschool in Co Donegal went from applying for planning permission to expand to receiving an order of condemnation due to defective concrete blocks (DCB) and facing an uncertain future. Fiona McCrabbe has been…...
Three creche operators initiate judicial review proceedings over minimum pay levels
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (750+ words) Three creche operators have initiated judicial review proceedings which could undermine the system established to set minimum pay levels across the entire sector. The case taken by the owners of Mary Geary's Childcare in Cork; Kidology, which runs three facilities…...
Norma Foley opposes commercial rates on childminders’ homes, but it’s beyond her control
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (486+ words) Childminders should not have their homes assessed for commercial rates, Minister for Children Norma Foley has said. Foley said she has raised the issue with the Minister for Housing James Browne, adding her view was "clear. "There isn't, and I…...
Facilities for up to 800 new childcare places to be acquired by State in 2026
2+ mon, 6+ day ago (613+ words) The Government is to purchase early learning facilities this year to cater for up to 800 childcare places running predominantly as community-operated creches. It is understood the Department of Children aims to acquire premises each catering for 100 or more children in…...
Four creches remain closed due to Garda vetting issues
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (339+ words) Four creches remain closed this week after failing to get the appropriate Garda vetting for staff members, Tusla has confirmed. On Sunday, the child and family agency said 17 creches around the country may not be able to reopen as they…...
Bigger childcare subsidies available to more families under plan to increase income limits
3+ mon, 1+ week ago (406+ words) More families will be eligible for higher childcare subsidies under a Department of Children plan. Currently, families can get full subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme if their household income is under "26,000. They can also receive a graduated level of…...
Half of Early Learning and Care staff expect to leave job within five years – OECD report
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (491+ words) Staff in Irish Early Learning and Care (ELC) have among the highest rates of sector-specific qualification across the OECD but are more likely to be unhappy in their jobs, with half saying they are likely to leave their jobs within…...