The Roscommon County Childcare Committee (CCC) Co-Ordinator, Irene Cafferky outlined the range of supports offered to childcare groups in the county from their office in Castlerea and detailed some pertinent statistics for the Members as follows -

·         The CCC identifies gaps in service provision, supporting start-ups, implementing national policy at local level.

·         The development of quality, accessible Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) services

·         The CCC provides advice and support to parents, Parent and Toddler groups, the local Tusla office, early intervention, local schools, local agencies and Roscommon County Council.

·         Other supports include mentoring voluntary management committees, supporting best practice in Governance and HR, the provision of business support, financial projections and the review and development of service policies and procedures.

·         Services are in urgent need of funding. Under new reforms the service will shortly be brought under one new agency.

·         Training support such as Children First Training, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Tulsa compliance, National Siolta and Aistear Initiative NSAI Training are also provided.

·         New families and ethnic minorities are supported through the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre in Ballaghaderreen.

·         Through its communications strategy, Roscommon CCC provides onsite support, office clinics and support meetings, information packs as well as through their website and social media platforms.

·         The sector is regulated by a number of Agencies. A total of 85 services are provided by Roscommon CCC of which 57 are Early Learning and Care Services; 13 Parent and Toddler Groups, 8 School Care Childhood Provision, 6 Voluntary/Notified Childminders with 1 Túsla registered childminder.

·         The contract value in respect of programmes since 2014/15 up to 2021/22 was €33m with €25m spent on Early Childhood Care and Education programmes.

·         A total of 9,121 children are registered under each of the aforementioned programmes for the same period under review, of which 7,094 children participated in the ECCE, 1,618 children engaged in the CCSP initiative while the remaining 409 took part in the TEC framework.

·         Roscommon became the first county in the country to sign up for 100% of services under the Core Funding programme.

·         Under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) / Capital programmes, a total of €886k was delivered through AIM with other capital projects amounting to €1.6m

·          Challenges facing the sector include an increasing population versus increasing demand and lack of childcare spaces, increased rents and lease agreements, transport, planning costs, meeting regulatory requirements and the urgent need for capital investment by central Government.

Members acknowledged the growth of local childcare services, providing local employment and economic benefit to the communities served -

·         Calls were made for improved provisions for students to work in the sector for summer work while off from college.

In reply Ms. Cafferky said personnel could be sourced for certain work experience, stating the sector was seeking an Apprenticeship programme.

·         Concerns were also raised over the rising costs of providing local childcare services as well as the high level of regulation in the sector.

·         Issues were also raised over capacity issues and costs associated with relocation of providers.

·         A shortfall of services in the wider Athlone area was also noted. Responding, Ms. Cafferky said a meeting with parents could be held to determine how best to move forward in the delivery of services in this area.

·         Concerns were also raised over working parents being disadvantaged in sourcing childcare, paying heavy subsidies.

·         Low pay scales in the sector was also discussed, compared to school SNA’s (Special Needs Assistants).

·         Enquiries over the further development of childcare services at the Ballaghaderreen EROC facility were raised as well as the provision of new local childcare services.

·         Calls for recognition of the sector similar to the delivery of primary and secondary education while claims were also made by members.

·         Questions over the extent of support for private childcare providers by the Roscommon CCC were also raised.

Chief Executive Shane Tiernan said the provision of local childcare services are vital in achieving social integration for children doing invaluable work and with the arrival of refugees in the county as part of the international protection programme, there was an even greater need for more service provision.

Responding to some of the issues raised, Ms. Cafferky said the Government had initiated new pay scales, which would be incremental on an annual basis.

·         Ms. Cafferky said the childcare service at the EROC facility in Ballaghaderreen was supporting 22 children.

·         The Early Learning and Care facility on the Convent Road in Ballaghaderreen has been reopened providing care for a similar number of children. A facility in The Shambles area is also being refurbished at present.

·         Following a tabled proposal, Ms. Cafferky suggested members write to Minister Roderic O’Gorman appealing for the retention of services in the county.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Byrne

 SECONDED by Cllr. Murphy

It was AGREED to write to Mr. Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of Ireland seeking the retention of local county childcare committee office in Castlerea