Its so important that the foundations are right. Unfortunately ECCE services have been chronically underfunded for many years and this has rocked the foundation. The government and the department have failed ECCE providers through this new Core Funding .

An excellent set of points from Noel Chambers ... one of our oft forgotten 2% male providers. Thanks Noel Elaine Dunne Federation Early Childhood Providers Colm Brophy Kathleen Funchion SF

Following from Budget 2023, a note of our updated, official Position on some key areas:

Refused a mortgage yet again because my income is nowhere near sufficient to put a roof over my own children's heads 😥 no recognition for an Honours Degree I put my heart into, so degrading Roderic O’Gorman TD Micheál Martin Leo Varadkar Elaine Dunne Federation Early Childhood Providers The Federation of Early Childhood Providers

According to the CSO, if standard capitation had been kept in line with inflation since ECCE commenced in 2010, it would be €76.16 today. We are asking for €76, yet government portrays us as greedy and sees no reason for protests. It's beyond ignorant.

NEWSFLASH... Core Funding, so far, fails to stop the trend of service closures. 29% increase in net closures year on year. According to @dcediy, closure rates are "broadly in line" with previous years. Is this considered a success? 👇👇👇 independent.ie/irish-news/par…

I have informed parents & staff that I intend to return to private fees Sep 2023, not an easy decision! However I can't continue to provide 'free preschool' for @dcediy while they refuse to fully pay for service. Enough is enough Micheál Martin Peadar Tóibín TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD

Time for all of us ECEC providers abandoned to step forward. Staying in the same place is not an option. Absolutely no evidence of the celebrated changes in many services. Things couldn't be worse! Elaine Dunne Federation Early Childhood Providers The Federation of Early Childhood Providers

Elaine Dunne Federation Early Childhood Providers Roderic O’Gorman TD The capitation for primary school children has been increased in the past 3 years - are the children in our services not worth an increase . Primary school capitation isn't used for salaries yet our is expected to cover all expenditure including staff salaries

Small ECCE & Childcare facilities are closing because Roderic O’Gorman TD Core Funding plan is not sufficient to cover costs. He talks about the sector as a whole but constantly ignores the fact that a particular cohort of these business are in crisis Morning Ireland

Such a powerful speech Peadar Tóibín TD you said it as it is. We can only hope someone is listening. See you ok the 25th November @VOPIRELAND Parents for Change

The Green Party's actions are closing down childcare and early years education facilities across the country. The sector is fighting back.

FECP Statement: Roderic O’Gorman TD @dcediy Micheál Martin Leo Varadkar Eamon Ryan

We are meeting our minister on Monday afternoon for discussion around the viability of small and medium services. We are hopeful for a good out come. Minister we can only hope you are not going to waste our time and that you will put real solutions on the table. Roderic O’Gorman TD

Obviously you regard the welfare of animals more important than the welfare of our children, the future of this country. Shame on you Roderic O’Gorman TD Leo Varadkar @dcediy The Federation of Early Childhood Providers

Irish Examiner Oh please take childcare from him ASAP 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 send us to our rightful place in education! Time ECEC services recognised as educational establishments. The foundation years are just as important as any other stage in education! & @dcediy do not know what their doing

Rowena Fisher Elaine Dunne Federation Early Childhood Providers Trying to stretch 7wk pay from 5 wk income plus all the bills & loans is impossible, not forgetting the lovely additional covid loan that had to be taken out since @dcediy put providers on PUP during lockdown. Now that can't be paid. There is nothing left for the provider😡

Elaine Dunne Federation Early Childhood Providers Roderic O’Gorman TD mmcgrathtd Business account will be empty this Friday Elaine, with no further Government funds until January 6th 2023, 3 weeks from now. Wages next week, holiday pay, bank holiday pay, p30, business mortgage etc still to be paid. Where does Roderic O’Gorman TD think this money will come from??

Elaine Dunne Federation Early Childhood Providers Peadar Tóibín TD Leo Varadkar Certainly empty! funding didn't cover wages let alone bills. Going to be a rough year financially trying to play catch up. @dcediy & Roderic O’Gorman TD have let us badly down.