Tens of thousands of childcare educators, providers and parents have staged a huge demonstration in Dublin city centre. The protesters called on the next Government to increase pay and funding for the sector and carried placards including, 'the hand that rocks the cradle, rocks the nation, and "we support children and families please support us", and 'save childcare".
General Secretary of Congress Patricia King, who joined protesters in O"Connell Street, said it was a "very impressive turnout, and it sends a strong message to the incoming Government that it must deal with issues surrounding childcare".
SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising and Campaigns, Darragh O"Connor, said: 'there is a real crisis in childcare. More than 60% educators earn less than the Living Wage of €12.30 per hour and parents are paying some of the highest fees in Europe. The next government has a choice, will it continue with a failing system, or will it invest in a new system that delivers for parents, educators, providers and children. The 'together for Early Years" coalition is calling on the next government to increase funding so that it reduces fees for parents, increases pay for educators and support the sustainability of services.
