Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

This is a total scam and our children are the ones to loose out

Published: 26 June, 2009

This is a total scam and our children are the ones to loose out - Cora Harvey.

Sinn Fein County Councillor Cora Harvey has condemned the Governments "swap" of the Child Care Supplement for the new proposed Early Childcare and Education Scheme (ECCE) and has said it is farcical to say the least.

Councillor Harvey states:

"The proposed ECCE scheme due to commence in January is simply not going to work and it will mean that many of our children will loose places in pre school centres, and many pre-school service providers will find themselves on their knees, It is ill thought out and is a farce to say the least, is designed purely to save money and not to guarantee childcare places.

In essence this is a good idea and free pre school places have to be welcomed, but if this scheme goes ahead in it,s present format only a select number of children will benefit.

Cllr Harvey continues:

The scheme is only for playschools firstly who meet the criteria to apply for the capitation grant; secondly you must be prepared to send your child 5 days a week. Now I have a 3 year old and would have no intention of sending her 5 days a week, there isn't many 3 years olds who attend pre school 5 days a week simply because it is too much for them and many parents only choose 2-3 days a week initially, they then may proceed to increase a day if the child needs it or is ready for it..

The terms and conditions governing participation in the scheme is to rigid and not child friendly. Many small rural playschools only cater for 8-10 children per day but could have up on 30 on their numbers; the pre-school provider manages this because children are divided up taking 2-3 days each.

Now under this scheme in order for pre-school providers to qualify for the capitation grant they must prioritise the children who are going to attend 5 days a week, therefore those children who are only able to attend 2 days a week will potentially be turned away and essentially there may be no places for them as all places will be taken up by children attending 5 days a week.

The capitation grant which is €64.50 a week per child also needs to be questioned; this is a flat rate regardless of facilities. I mean Childcare costs are inextricably linked to property repayments and overheads which differ substantially across the country and this will not cover rent, rates, water charges or wage costs. Parents cannot pay a top up to subsidise the service. The other idiotic thing is that the scheme is optional and for those providers who opt out of the scheme will face the prospect of losing substantial business. It really is a no win situation for provider or child.

In Short this is a great idea with a very bad plan, but what else do we expect from this Government, one would have to wonder did Mr. Andrews get a 3 year old to draw up the plan for him, now this is taking youth participation a little to far…

Concluding Cllr Harvey says:

Before any final decision is made on this scheme I would urge the Minister to take a look at the adverse effects that this scheme will have for children and pre school providers across the country. There clearly needs to be more thought put in to it and more flexibility is needed.