Experts are urging for new measures in Budget 2025 to tackle the 'childcare crisis' that's left thousands of Cork families scrambling to find care. Leading child advocacy group Early Childhood Ireland is calling on government to give a major boost to childcare funding to support struggling Cork parents. The group's Director of Policy Frances Byrne also stressed Budget 2025 is TDs 'last chance' to deliver for the estimated 22,000 Cork children in desperate need of Early Years and School Age Care.
This comes as families across the county struggle with the rise in creche and school-age care facility closures. Late last month, many city parents were left scrambling following the closure of Northside New Horizons Preschool - just days before the school term's start. In July, we also saw another 'vital' service wrap up East Cork as the Cobh Family Resource Centre announced they would be halting their preschool and after-school care.
READ MORE: U-turn on planned cuts to ambulance services in Cork and Kerry as Minister intervenes READ MORE: Rare Supermoon eclipse in skies over Munster but we'll have to stay up very late Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland is calling for new measures in the upcoming budget to tackle lengthy waiting lists for childcare services. She has also urged for a significant funding increase as new figures show Ireland ranks among the lowest in government support for early childhood education (ECE). According to recent reports, Ireland was shown to all.