IRD Duhallow Progress Jun 21/22.qxp_Layout 1 21/07/2022 12:53 Page 35
IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
2020 - 2021
Equality For Women & Childcare relatives who would like to be best able to respond to a crisis involving children of all ages, but particularly up to 5 years of age.
Therefore, in cases where the parents are not engaged in work or study, access to subsidised early learning and childcare for children of preschool age is generally only available during school holiday periods.
Self Defence Classes for Women The issue of women’s safety is of paramount importance to the Duhallow Women’s Forum. Violent incidents are well documented as having lasting and enduring implications for victims. Based on the premise that knowledge is empowering, we held a self-defence class with a view to helping women who may not be aware of how to protect themselves in potentially unsafe situations. Aimed at developing confidence, the training had significant physical and mental health benefits for those who participated. Funded through the IRD Duhallow’s SICAP Programme the self-defence techniques delivered at this training are important life skills which will be of long-term value for all those who were in attendance.
The Core Funding Scheme is a noteworthy breakthrough on the journey towards a new funding model. The aim of the funding is to change the sector and create a new type of partnership between the State and childcare providers that highlights the importance of childcare providers for the public good. Core Funding is designed to meet the combined objectives of: • Improved affordability for parents by ensuring that fees do not increase; • Improved quality through better pay and conditions for the workforce by supporting agreement on an Employment Regulation Order through the Joint Labour Committee; • Supporting the employment of graduate staff; and • Improved sustainability and stability for services. North Cork Childcare Managers Network The North Cork Childcare Managers Network was established by IRD Duhallow in 2015 and is made up of managers of community childcare facilities from across North Cork and East Kerry. The meetings provide an environment to network, share information, expertise and have discussions. It is a collaborative platform with managers from 20 community childcare facilities as well as representatives from Cork County Childcare and IRD Duhallow. The Network meets on a bi-monthly basis where they share experiences, discuss challenges facing the childcare sector and to identify opportunities including funding and staff training.
Pat Forde, Self Defence Instructor, with the group of women that participated in the SICAP funded Self Defence Class.
Childcare The women’s forum had great foresight in the early 2000’s, when the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme was rolled out across the country. Through our staff, the Forum supported a number of communities to design, access grant aid, build and set up Community Childcare enterprises. Duhallow now boasts 6 Community Creches. It is hard to believe that over 20 years on, access to affordable childcare is still an issue. Staffing is also a huge barrier and a major issue for many of the local creches.
The Network identify training needs for the sector and feed in to IRD Duhallow Skillnet, SICAP and Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme to address these training needs. Childcare facilities have received funding for governance training for their board members and courses in such things as Lámh, Introduction to Play Therapy, Introduction to Aistear, Supporting a Child with ASD in a Childcare Setting etc. The Network identified the need for a Level 5 in Childcare, which is the minimum level required to work in a childcare facility, to try and alleviate the staff shortages all facilities are facing, which IRD Duhallow Skillnet is currently running at maximum capacity. IRD Duhallow Skillnet programme has in conjunction with the Women’s Forum and the North Cork Childcare Manager Network, delivered a BA Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care. Members of the Network welcomed the announcement of another Bachelor of Arts in Applied Early Childhood Education & Care via the IRD Duhallow Skillnet commencing in September 2022. This will result in over 200 trainees gaining a degree in childcare locally. It is anticipated that graduates of both the Level 5 and Bachelor of Arts will add to the available workforce at a local level combatting the current shortage of qualified childcare professionals in the sector and more specifically in Duhallow.
IRD Duhallow’s Billy Murphy and Stephanie Moynihan with Ann & Tommy Burke and Helen & Paddy Sheehan pictured at ”Children at play” signage for Murphy’s Terrace which was identified at IRD Duhallow community consultation meeting as being required.
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, recently announced a couple of changes for childcare facilities that intend to positively affect both childcare facilities and families. Currently under the National Childcare Scheme, the hours spent in school are deducted from a family’s entitlement to subsidised hours.
Karen O Sullivan Manager of Cork County Childcare Committee with Board Member Mary Murphy and Chairperson Eileen Linehan.
Members of the North Cork Managers Childcare Network
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