Claims by 'Childminding Ireland' that the Minister for Children is not engaging with the sector and will go down as the one who oversaw the end of Childminding in Ireland should be a serious wake up call.
That's according to Aontú's Monaghan Rep Olivia Larkin.
Ms Larkin says she is extremely alarmed by claims by 'Childminding Ireland' that up to 80 % of homebased childminders may exit the sector.
According to the local rep, this would lead to an utter collapse and have untold consequences for children, parents and the childminders themselves.
Ms Larkin is calling on the Minister for Children Norma Foley to live up to her brief and to meet Childminders Ireland without delay.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the local Aontú rep says this sector cannot be ignored any longer as "our children depend on it."
"We in Aontú have been challenging the government approach, which focuses taxpayer money solely on subsidising formal childcare providers like creches and playschools. We genuinely believe this is not serving people well at all. It is too narrow and exclusionary. Policies must give parents choice on who minds their children. The state should support those choices, not restrict them.
The government's short-sightedness overlooks the invaluable role of childminders and family members who care for children every day. Childcare workers deserve fair wages reflecting the vital contribution they make. At the same time, families should not be penalised for choosing alternative childcare arrangements."
