Fingal has the lowest levels of public childcare in the country, with most local services provided by private operators rather than community-run schemes, new figures suggest.
According to Aontú councillor Ellen Troy, just 5% of childcare facilities in Fingal are publicly run compared to 25% nationwide and 33% across Dublin.
“There are currently 20 childcare providers operating out of premises either owned by, funded or supported by Fingal County Council,” she said.
“Of these, four are public providers and 16 are private businesses.”
Cllr Troy said she was contacted by one public childcare provider who raised concerns about the disparity.
That provider pointed out that in total, Fingal has only 16 public childcare services, compared with 274 private services.
“This provider has said that it has been attempting to expand its services into community facilities in other areas of Fingal but has been unable to do so as private operators are using the community facilities,” she said.
“This is patently unfair and I am at a loss as to why it is being allowed to happen.”
Cllr Troy warned that families in disadvantaged areas were being hit hardest by the imbalance.
“Many public providers operate out of local authority-managed premises in the heart of communities experiencing disadvantage.
“This is not the case in Fingal,” she said. “In Fingal, thousands of families experience poverty.
“Public childcare is absolutely vital for these families as it is accessible and affordable.
“We all know the old adage that it takes a village to raise a child, and this is especially true in areas of social disadvantage.”
She added that public childcare centres often provide more than just day care, offering parenting programmes and family outreach supports that private services may not.
“Public childcare is incredibly effective and a vital community service.
“It results in better outcomes for children and families and surely that is what we should be striving for,” she said.
Cllr Troy has now called on Fingal County Council’s executive team to explain why private enterprises are being allowed to operate out of publicly funded community facilities.
“I believe this would be terribly unfair and inequitable at the best of times,” she said.
“But in the current climate, when families are at their wits’ end trying to make ends meet, it is simply unbelievable.”