Calls from Tramore parents for urgent action on childcare have now been brought directly to Government.

Waterford TD David Cullinane told Minister for Children Norma Foley he was raising concerns outlined by families and childcare providers at a recent public meeting in Tramore.

Tramore childcare concerns

The meeting, organised by the Tramore Childcare Campaigner Carrie O’Hanlon at the Coastguard Cultural Centre, heard from parents struggling to secure childcare places and resulted in a petition signed by more than 400 people calling for urgent action.

Addressing the minister, Deputy Cullinane described Tramore as “a good example of a growing population” which has not received the childcare investment it needs.

He said parents at the meeting spoke about the “impossibility” of finding childcare, describing it as a major barrier preventing many parents, particularly women, from returning to work or taking up full time employment.

The Sinn Féin TD also highlighted concerns that some new housing developments include buildings intended for childcare that remain unused.

He told the minister childcare providers say a lack of financial supports, along with bureaucracy, means it is often not financially viable to operate from those facilities.

Deputy Cullinane also relayed one of the campaign’s key demands, asking the minister to consider a pilot state led childcare facility in Tramore, supported by capital investment.

He said staffing shortages remain another major challenge, telling the Dáil high staff turnover, recruitment difficulties and pay issues are limiting the number of childcare places available.

Deputy Cullinane said Tramore is just one example of towns and rural communities where childcare capacity is failing to keep pace with demand, and urged the minister to consider the solutions being put forward.

The intervention follows last week’s public meeting, where campaigners agreed to raise the issue with Waterford’s Oireachtas members and seek direct engagement with the Minister for Children. The group is continuing to call for additional childcare places, improved pay for early years educators and greater Government investment in the sector.