Tigers Childcare Closes Rooms in Dublin, Kildare, Meath Due to Staffing, Vetting Delays

Tigers Childcare has been forced to close rooms in some of its 30-plus creches in Dublin, Kildare, and Meath, causing working parents to seek alternative care or take leave. CEO Karen Clince attributed the closures to staffing shortages, exacerbated by delayed Garda vetting applications.

Creches in Ballybrack and Leopardstown (South Dublin), Kilcock (Co Kildare), and Enfield (Co Meath) have experienced closures. In April, the Ballybrack toddler room shut for a week. Parents reported receiving short-notice messages, sometimes at 3 PM, about the next day's availability, leading to uncertainty and disruption. Parents were refunded for days their children could not attend.

Clince, also chair of Childhood Services Ireland, plans a 5% pay increase for staff, noting many leave the sector due to poor pay and conditions, leading to burnout and high illness rates. Garda vetting, previously 10 days, now takes up to six weeks, creating operational pressure. Clince is considering leaving the Government's core funding model, which requires a fee freeze, as rising costs make it unsustainable.

Elaine Dunne, chair of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, confirmed these issues are widespread, with many providers facing stagnant funding despite rising costs. The Department of Children acknowledged recruitment and retention challenges due to low pay, stating that while it funds the sector, it cannot directly set wages. It noted €45 million in ring-fenced core funding was provided last year to support increased minimum pay rates, but Dunne believes more funding is needed.