Relief as Government backs Kilkenny TD’s calls for support fund for créches

Kilkenny TD Kathleen Funchion has welcomed the Government’s decision to back her calls for a support fund to help crèches and childcare providers who find themselves in financial crisis due to spiralling insurance costs.

Deputy Funchion had warned many local créches faced the prospect of being forced out of business early in the New Year following the surprise departure of a major insurance company from the market.

Children’s Minister Katherine Zappine later announced a one-off payment of an average of €1,500 to childcare providers faced with crippling insurance premiums.

Deputy Funchion said: “This will make a difference to childcare providers, to workers and to parents heading into the New Year, but it shouldn’t have gotten to this stage and there needs to be a plan to prevent this in future.

“This crisis is yet another feature of a childcare system that is fractured and doesn’t work for parents, children or for childcare professionals. We need to move away from the for-profit model of childcare to one of public service.”