FINE Gael’s 2024 Local Election candidate for City West, Michael MacCurtain, is urging his fellow Government officials to provide increased support to early childhood care providers in the forthcoming Budget. MacCurtain, who recently became a father to a baby girl, is drawing attention to the growing struggle parents are facing in securing childcare placements throughout the city and county.
According to MacCurtain, the scarcity of spaces for infants under one year old has reached a critical point, forcing some parents to contemplate extending their maternity or paternity leave periods unpaid.
He explains, “New parents are encountering considerable difficulty in locating suitable childcare facilities, as baby rooms are often fully occupied. Stringent child-to-adult ratios dictate that one adult must supervise every three children. This financial reality makes it unsustainable for many childcare facilities to maintain dedicated baby rooms.”
Michael MacCurtain, who currently serves as the manager of Skillnet at Limerick Chamber, emphasizes that the repercussions of this shortage will inevitably impact working parents. They may have no choice but to turn to family assistance, unlicensed caregivers, or extend their leave into unpaid maternity or parental leave, resulting in a reduction in income.
In light of these challenges, MacCurtain is making a fervent appeal to the Government, urging them to allocate additional resources and support to early childhood care providers in the upcoming budget. This plea comes as a response to the pressing need for solutions that address the growing childcare crisis facing parents in Limerick.
