4+ hour, 25+ min ago   (437+ words) The number of children in households below the poverty line grew by almost a fifth in 2024, according to fresh research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). That was despite strong growth in average household income, which – when adjusted…...

6+ day, 19+ hour ago   (532+ words) A commitment by Government to taking over the payment of wages in the childcare sector would reduce average weekly fees for parents from €200 to €56 and help address the sector’s staffing crisis, a coalition of campaign groups has said. Members of…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (231+ words) So, some things the left-wing Opposition could ask itself are: what kind of new approach is engaging? What would motivate people? What would energise them? Engagement is a game of attention. You engage people by presenting a different mentality to…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (299+ words) Changes to the income thresholds for the National Childcare Scheme will see the families of some 47,000 children receive more in subsidies. Under the scheme all eligible families may apply for a universal subsidy, regardless of income, worth up to €96.30 per…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago   (551+ words) The safety of young people at a Co Monaghan disability centre was “at risk” due to fire safety issues and safeguarding and governance concerns, an inspection by the health watchdog has found. Longfield House, run by Zamab Care Ltd, provides…...

3+ week, 13+ hour ago   (440+ words) Members of Siptu working in the childcare sector have overwhelmingly rejected pay offers made by two employer groups during talks on new minimum rates for staff. In a ballot of the union’s membership of about 6,000 in the sector, some 98 per…...

4+ week, 4+ hour ago   (448+ words) The Department of Children has intervened in the proposed closure of a Co Limerick creche, raising concerns the plan would “significantly” worsen a shortage of childcare places locally. In an effort to treat childcare as critical infrastructure, the Government is…...

4+ week, 4+ hour ago   (883+ words) Rachana Nagaraja was scheduled to return to work this week after the birth of her first baby, but it won’t be happening because she has a problem: childcare. “I have applied and knocked [at] every single door of a childcare…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago   (171+ words) Sir, – I fully support Frances Byrne’s call for early years and school age care professionals to receive public-sector pay and conditions (July 22nd). A further injustice is the lack of recognition afforded to graduates in the sector. Many hold Level 8 degrees,…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago   (615+ words) The first ever review of childcare providers’ fees is to be conducted targeting creches that are overcharging parents. Every local authority in the country will later this year compare fees charged by creches with the amounts parents were billed five…...