THE RECESSION has resulted in fewer hours for childminders and more vacancies, a new survey has found. The number of those working for 40 hours or more per week is 6 per cent down on 2010, according to a survey of the members of Childminding Ireland.
Some 44 per cent have reported vacancies within their service and 57 per cent report a reduction in hours at the parents’ request as a result of a cut in working hours.
The figures were announced at the annual general meeting of Childminding Ireland at the weekend which was attended by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald.
Childminding Ireland spokeswoman Siobhán Kennedy said there was a trend throughout the recession with parents either reducing hours or looking for more flexibility.
The organisation asked the Minister to consider using qualified childminders if proposals to limit the lone parents’ allowance to those with children under the age of seven are implemented.
Ms Kennedy said the capacity among childminders at present could be used for those lone parents who may have to go back to work as a result of changes in the social welfare system.
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