UPDATE: Sustainability of Services

Over the past week SIPTU has been working as part of ‘Together for Early Years’ to develop a response to the sustainability issues faced by some services.

‘Together for Early Years’ includes SIPTU, the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, The Childcare Community Forum, Seas Suas and the National Childhood Network.

After consulting with members and conducting research, the alliance has today set out it’s proposals to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).

Sustainability

Apart from a ‘fast track’ sustainability fund, Together for Early Years is calling for:

• The 15% top-up payment to providers be increased to 30% to help sustain business overheads
• Each owner/co-owner/manager would receive a payment of €608 per week
• A revised short term contract (up to 12 weeks or the return of children to services) whichever is the sooner. Upon which our existing contract payment details return and clarification that the short term contract will not ask providers to trade as insolvent
• Together for Early Years receives a copy of the contract for review before it is released
• Together for Early Years requests that going forward a number of representatives from this body be included in all consultation processes held in relation to this matter.

Update

As soon are there is a response from the DCYA we will be in contact.

SIPTU members who have a query can contact us at bigstart@siptu.ie and we will put you in touch with your local SIPTU organiser.