FF publishes ‘Investing in Tomorrow’, discussion paper on Early Childhood Care and Education

Posted on 03/09/13 by Robert Troy

Fianna Fáil has today published proposals to reform childcare and education in early childhood, focussing on raising quality standards, improving inspections and making childcare more accessible and affordable for parents.

Publishing the document, Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy commented: “Many parents this week are dealing with the transition of their children moving from pre-school into the full classroom setting and all of the challenges that come with that change.  In that context we are publishing a detailed document looking at the early years.  We know from extensive research of the sector that this is an extremely important time in the development of children.

“Effective early childhood care and education has a significant role to play in reducing educational underachievement, particularly for children who are faced with barriers to learning.  Ultimately, the right investment in the early years saves money in the long-run.

“Among the proposals we have looked at is increasing capitation which would allow providers to incentivise staff to seek further training and qualification.  We are proposing to expand and increase inspection and registration and gradually roll out a €15m Professional Early Childhood Training Fund.  The document also proposes a second full free pre-school year for all children with special educational needs.”

Deputy Troy added: “One of the main issues that families continue to face is the cost of childcare and the need for greater support for parents.  We have proposed that the Government undertake an analysis of costs in the sector with a specific remit of identifying relief proposals.  We also want transferable paid parental leave made available immediately and proposing a gradual extension of paid maternity leave, growing to 52 weeks by 2019.

“Over the decade 2000 to 2010, €425 million was invested in capital funding for childcare, and two specific programmes created 65,000 childcare places across the country.  The positive benefits of having physical infrastructure in place enabled the roll out of the free-school year and this progress needs to be built on in the years ahead.

“While I accept that not all of the recommendations in this discussion document are likely to be taken on by Government, I would ask the Government parties to accept this discussion paper in the spirit it is being presented - a genuine attempt to promote an informed conversation between parents, stakeholders and policy-makers as we strive to ensure all children get the best start in life to enable them to reach their full potential.”

You can access the full document here and a summary of some of the proposals under five key headings are listed below.

Investing in Tomorrow

Raising Quality Standards
•Move responsibility for Early Childhood Care and Education to one Government Department
•Incrementally increase GDP ratio in relation to investment in ECCE
•A revised inspection system including a registration process expansion of HIQA role

Supporting and Professionalising workforce
•Develop Professional Early Childhood Training Fund (€15m 2014-2017) using needs-led targets
•Increased capitation to allow for better remuneration of staff who train to graduate level Inclusion of Children with Special Educational Needs
•A National Inclusion Policy for the early childhood care and education sector
•Move to mainstream SEN Assistants being directly employed by HSE
•Provision for second free pre-school year for all children with special educational needs

Childcare for working parents
•Government commissioned study on cost of childcare, examining relief proposals
•Extension of statutory maternity leave to one year by 2019
•Transferable paid paternal leave for parents Tackling Obesity
•Develop National Obesity Prevention and Treatment strategy
•Establishment mandatory requirement of outdoor play spaces for new early childhood services

Government failing to deliver on standards for childcare and early education – Troy

by Robert Troy TD

 Fianna Fáil offers full support on Dáil time to pass important legislation

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy has described the RTÉ ‘Prime Time Investigates’ programme into care in a number of crèches as “very distressing to watch and will worry many parents about the standard of care being deliv...ered in crèches.”

Deputy Troy said: “There are clear failings to deliver professional and high educational and care standards for children in early childhood settings and these must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

As an immediate priority, Fianna Fáil is calling for:

§ The establishment of a special HSE helpline for parents
§ The publication of the Children First and Child and Family Agency Bills
§ A clear timeline for the recruitment of additional inspectors where gaps have been identified
§ A commitment from the HSE that inspection reports will be provided to parents
§ The immediate publication of full inspection reports
§ The introduction of fines on crèche operators where regulations are breached
§ The withdrawal of State funding for facilities guilty of significant breaches of regulations
§ Serious consideration of appropriate monitoring mechanisms for crèches found to be in breach of regulations, including possible introduction of CCTV where parents agree

Deputy Troy commented: “We have offered the Government full co-operation on providing the Dáil time needed to pass the Children First and the Child and Family Agency Bills. This legislation is now two years late and must be delivered without further delay.

“In the longer term Minister Fitzgerald needs to make significant progress on establishing funding for training and raising standards, while rolling out a more robust inspection regime.

“A comprehensive strategy entitled ‘A Workforce Development Plan for the Early Childhood Care and Education sector in Ireland’ was brought forward in 2010 but seems to have been put on the long finger by the Government which is failing to follow through on supports and training for people working in the early education and childhood care.

“A clear pathway to a professionalised, quality service in early childhood care and education was developed in consultation with the industry and Minister Fitzgerald needs to explain why she has not implemented the plan to date. A quality service cannot be delivered without a quality workforce and we’re talking about delivering very important care for children in the early years.

“Parents put enormous trust in childcare and those delivering early childhood education. For many families, childcare is an absolutely essential service. The Government and the entire political system owes it to these families to ensure that the processes are in place to ensure proper standards and quality are delivered.”

Time for town centres to fight back – FF

 

Posted on 17/05/13 by Barry Cowen

Fianna Fáil launches a new town centre policy document tackling crippling commercial rates, high rents, unfair parking charges and derelict buildings



Speaking today at the launch of “Streets Ahead” a new Fianna Fáil policy document setting out a fresh vision for the future of Irish town centres Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen T.D. said “Towns across Ireland are suffering particularly badly with business closures and job losses. They need a concrete plan backed up by real actions to get them moving again. Our Policy tackles crippling commercial rates and rents, the burden of parking charges, and introduces new town teams to take the lead in revitalising Irish towns”.

According to Deputy Cowen shock closures of high profile businesses such as Blacktie and HMV underline the challenges that Irish retailers face in towns the length and breadth of Ireland. “It’s an all too familiar sight in every town in Ireland. Over the past number of years businesses have moved out of town centres or closed leaving a hole in the heart of Irish towns. The burden of commercial rates and high rents combined with heavy parking charges is killing off businesses. Our policy document set out a series of initiatives to address the grave challenges facing towns across Ireland” said Deputy Cowen.

Outlining some of the proposals Deputy Cowen commented that addressing commercial rates was at the heart of the policy. “We are proposing a new commercial rates system that incentives new businesses, has an inability to pay clause, places a rates surcharge on out of Town Centres that will help ensure a fairer rates system. This will help ensure new start-ups are encouraged and struggling retailers and business are given space to breathe”. Deputy Cowen also re-iterated Fianna Fáil’s position to abolish upward only rent reviews to help tackle exorbitant rents.

“We also need to make it easier to get people into towns, and creating a flexible parking charge system that encourages short term stays and rewards return shoppers is a vital part of that” according to Deputy Cowen.

“Towns are a vital part of the economic and social life of communities. This policy reflects the need to create safe lively town centres that form the heart of their communities. Cultural events festivals, reforming planning laws, engaging in safe street purple flag campaigns all led by specific town teams will help revitalise the vibrancy of Irish towns.”

“Our policy document is as a result of extensive consultation with the stakeholders, party colleagues and members. This will form part of series of proposals that will be brought forward over the coming months. We would hope that the Government will seriously consider our proposals and provide the necessary tools, direction and policy to drive these concepts to bring about a thriving business sector in our towns,” Deputy Cowen concluded.

 

 

 

 

Streets Ahead Policy Paper 170513