Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway, Claire Kerrane, has welcomed her appointment by Mary Lou McDonald TD as Sinn Féin spokesperson for Children, Equality, Integration and Youth, as well as to the role of Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee.

Speaking this afternoon Teachta Kerrane said:

“I am delighted to take up this new role as party spokesperson for Children, Equality, Integration and Youth and to chair the Joint Oireachtas Committee. I am grateful to my colleague Kathleen Funchion MEP, who worked so diligently and built strong relationships during her time as spokesperson over many years. 

“I will be prioritising meeting as many stakeholders as I can in the days and weeks ahead to hear directly from them which will also assist me in learning my new brief as quickly as possible.

“We have to make childcare accessible and affordable for all parents, to ensure neither are barriers for women (mainly) to take up employment or return to work. We also have to ensure the Sector is adequately funded – this has been an ongoing issue and has continued post the new core funding model.

“I have already, since being elected, engaged with SIPTU regularly on decent pay and terms and conditions for Early Years Educators, childcare cannot exist without them, and so a fair deal for them is essential, we need this to recruit and retain these professionals and to reverse the many closures we’ve seen, particularly in infant rooms. I also have worked closely with my local County Childcare Committee and so I look forward to meeting more of these Committees.

“There are also proposed changes which will have an impact on Childminders, especially relied on in rural areas, we have to make sure we get this right, for Childminders, children and families.

“In relation to children in care, I support the call by the Children’s Residential and Aftercare Voluntary Association for an independent review into Ireland’s care system and immediate reform on the back of such recommendations, as a matter of urgency. I look forward to learning more about the Care system in Ireland and also engaging with those representing Foster Parents, who I know also have challenges they wish to discuss with me.

“In Ireland today, too many children are being failed – children in care, children languishing on waiting lists for essential therapies, children living in poverty, and children who are not getting the basic supports they need to ensure a happy and safe childhood – something no child should miss out on. 

“I look forward to engaging and learning and putting forward a clear plan on childcare in the coming weeks.”