COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 08, 2017

MOTION NO.1

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor P. Kearns

Mayors Business

Members of South Dublin County Council are calling on the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone to increase investment in Early Childhood Care and Education to ensure that children have access to quality, sustainable and affordable childcare with decent pay and conditions for professionals in the sector.

The Council recognises that Early Years Educators are hugely dedicated professionals who care for and educate children during the most crucial years of their development. However the Irish Government lags behind other European countries in terms of how much we invest in Early Years Education. As a result, many qualified professional are struggling to make ends meet and providers are struggling to stay open.

We call on Minister Zappone to put children first and invest in quality childcare and Early Years Education.  We ask the Chief Executive to forward a copy of this motion to Minister Zappone and to copy it to all other City and County Councils.

REPORT:

If the Motion is passed a letter will issue to the appropriate Minister, and when a reply is received it will be issued to the Members.  A copy of the letter will also be circulated to all other City and County Councils.