And Your Little Dog Too

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Minister for Children Katherine Zappone

Twenty days ago, the Early Years Alliance announced its plans to hold a protest on Wednesday, February 5.

Thousands of providers are reportedly expected to take part.

However, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone on Tuesday released a circular telling providers that those who close their service in order to attend the protest will lose payments.

They’ve also been told that they cannot change their working calendar – to allow for the creches to close next Wednesday.

This morning. Paula Donohoe, of Clever Clogs Childcare in Ballyconnell, County Cavan, spoke to Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio One.

Asked about the circular from Ms Zappone’s department and if she will still attend the protest in light of it, Paula said:

“Yes, in fact, the circular, as of Tuesday, has probably made me even more resolute…this is the reason, the very reason we are going out on this protest is the behaviour of the department, and the minister and her department that led to Tuesday’s action.

“What Tuesday, the announcement on Tuesday was that they will not fund the services. Now I get that, if you’re not working, you don’t get paid.

“But we have always been entitled and able to, under our contractual arrangements with the department, to change our calendar.

“As long as we run it by [inaudible] on behalf of the department, which is the county childcare committee. I have had to do this in the past. There has never been a problem. I’ve changed my calendar and I’ve never had to to give a reason as to why I had to change my calendar.

“I’ve changed my calendar, had it approved and re-issued a new calendar.

“The circular on Tuesday, or the announcement on Tuesday by the minister, was that we are no longer allowed to actually change our calendars.

“My intention always was to close next Wednesday, the 5th of February but to provide the parents and children of my service…an alternative day so the children to not lose out.”

Mr O’Rourke asked Ms Donohoe if her 25 childcare workers will now lose a day’s pay because of the closure in order to attend the protest. She said:

“Absolutely not. I’m fighting on behalf of my staff for a very long time, for very low waged professionals. So, in my case, I can verify that they will get their wages.

“Whether I get my Government funding or not, those girls will get their wages. There is absolutely no way I will punish them.”

Good times.

Department of Children and Youth Affairs FAQs on the proposed Early Years protest 5 February 2020 (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

Listen back in full here

Crèches closing for protest rally to be docked State funds (Independent.ie)

Previously: How Much?

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13 thoughts on “And Your Little Dog Too

  1. Dr.Fart

    she really pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes. before she was elected she seemed like a great candidate, and I was very hopeful about her appointment. since then she has endlessly let myself and the country down time and time again, its unreal. she seems nice and intelligent, but shes so vindictive and has caused so much harm. so much so, that you’d forget shes an independent, and presume by her actions shes FG or FF to the bone.

      1. Dr.Fart

        yea, that was apparent with the mileage thing. It was the first item on her to-do list. it was a bad sign, and the start of her reign of incompetence and harm.

  2. broadbag

    Looks like the wicked witch of the west in that hat, acts accordingly, one of the worst and that’s saying something considering her colleagues.

  3. broadbag

    Looks like the wicked witch of the west in that hat (nice headline!), acts accordingly, one of the worst and that’s saying something considering her colleagues.

  4. Chimpy

    Love the title. Gave me a chuckle when I saw the image. Fair play to the childcare providers. I would take a day off myself if I could to get involved.

  5. RuilleBuille

    It was obvious on day one when she presented her travelling expenses. She stands to claim €80,000 over the five year parliamentary term.

    She claims to live 25km from the Dail which puts her in a higher band. The AA Routeplanner puts her house at less than 22km. Who would you believe?

  6. Daisy Chainsaw

    If you strike, you don’t get paid. You don’t get to use a day’s leave either, regardless of whether you’re in a union or not. You can’t have your cake and eat it.

  7. Liam Deliverance

    I commented on her facebook page a few years back, a critical comment, it was removed within 5 minutes. These days it seems who ever was helping with that has seen the light and done a runner, her page is full of critical comments now. Poor Zappone!, we should be rid of her fairly soon, good riddance.

Comments are closed.

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