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Irish childcare crisis laid bare in report

‘Early childhood education and care in Ireland is facing a black abyss,’ an early years expert has warned, as 90 per cent of staff look to leave the sector and childcare fees continue to be among the highest in the EU.
Dr Mary Moloney: 'The findings are astounding. Let's face it, early childhood education and care in Ireland is facing an abyss.'
Dr Mary Moloney: 'The findings are astounding. Let's face it, early childhood education and care in Ireland is facing an abyss.'

‘Early childhood education and care in Ireland is facing a black abyss,’ an early years expert has warned, as 90 per cent of staff look to leave the sector and childcare fees continue to be among the highest in the EU.

A survey by Ireland’s largest trade union, Siptu, has highlighted the struggle childcare settings in Ireland are facing retaining qualified and experienced staff.

Its survey of 3,200 early childhood, education and care employees – 12 per cent of the total workforce – reveals that 90 per cent are questioning their future in the sector and more than half are actively looking for a different job.

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