Overview

Start Strong welcomes the Budget 2016 early years measures, which mark a significant step forward in the development of early care and education in Ireland.

In our Pre-Budget Submission, published in July, we recommended the following:

1. Extend paid family leave

• Introduce 6 weeks’ paid parental leave, rising to 26 weeks by 2021, so a child can be at home for at least the first year.
• Introduce 2 weeks’ paid paternity leave.

2. Develop quality, affordable childcare

• Linking public funding to quality, including a review of capitation rates (to include paid non-contact time and the introduction of salary scales).
• Extending subsidised childcare places to lower-income families in all areas.
• Cap fees for parents.
• Invest in supports for quality.
• Audit the quality of early years services.

3. Move to a second free pre-school year

• Give an entitlement from age 3, and allow entry at multiple points in the year.

Budget 2016 delivers some key measures – in particular the extension of free pre-school and the introduction of paternity leave – and it commits to developing a framework for affordable, quality childcare.

There is no action on some key issues – such as paid parental leave, a review of capitation rates, and salary scales – and some issues are still unclear. However, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs described the Budget measures as a ‘first step’ and ‘the beginning of a multi-annual programme of investment’, implying an intention to increase investment over time.