221+ is a member of the National Women’s Council ‘Together for Public’ Alliance, a diverse group of organisations campaigning together towards a public model of early childhood education and care in Ireland. 221+ supports this work in recognition of the extra burdens a cancer diagnosis can place on families and individuals with childcare responsibilities. For example, reduced physical ability to care for children yet also reduced ability to work, alongside the financial pressures of cancer, can compound already existing problems of accessibility and affordability of child care in Ireland. We believe it is every child and families’ right to suitable early childhood education and care if they need and wish to avail of it.
Please read more about the way forward towards a public model in the below document.