SDLP Councillor Mary Durkan
In September, Cllr Durkan’s motion supporting the ‘Childcare for All’ campaign and seeking the provision of 30-hours free childcare for working parents similar to existing schemes elsewhere, was unanimously backed by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Said Cllr Durkan: “It is reassuring for parents, childcare providers, employers and communities that the restored Executive will prioritise this important issue in its Programme for Government. Burdensome childcare costs have created barriers for working parents and their families.
“It is completely unacceptable that in 2020 parents – particularly mothers- have been forced to choose between caring for a child and a fulfilling career and experiencing social exclusion as a result.
“Many households here are experiencing in-work poverty.
“Some working parents are skipping meals in order to put food on the table for their children or struggling to heat their homes and pay utility bills.”
Cllr Durkan also paid tribute to the Childcare for All coalition and member organisations therein, for their campaigning to date.
She has encouraged all parents and childcare providers to complete the online Northern Ireland Survey 2020, launched by Employers for Childcare this week.
“The contents of this survey and wider research will inform decision-making on shaping a fir-for-purpose childcare system.
“It is important for parents and childcare providers to share their views.
“An affordable, accessible and high-quality childcare system must meet the needs of children, parents, childcare providers and communities.”
The short online surveys can be accessed on Employers for Childcare’s website www.employersforchildcare.org
Tags: