Tramore Childcare Infrastructure

Budget 2027 has been announced, the active Tramore Childcare Campaign has reached its natural conclusion.
When we first brought this community together at the Coastguard Cultural Centre, our goal was clear: to give Tramore’s families, childminders, and early-years educators a unified voice, and to ensure our town’s childcare crisis could no longer be ignored by decision-makers.

While campaign activity now comes to a close, the awareness, networks, and groundwork created through this community movement remain. Work will continue to with our elected officials, Waterford County Council representatives and local childcare stakeholders to ensure Tramore gets the early year childcare infrastructure it desperately deserves,

Thank you, Tramore, for standing up for our children and our community’s future.

Tramore Childcare Campaign Budget Survey: RESULTS ARE IN

Across all demographics—regardless of gender or whether respondents currently have children in care—over 61% overwhelmingly demand direct State-paid wages for childcare workers as the top priority for Budget 2027. While secondary priorities show minor variations—with active parents and women leaning toward building new childcare spaces, and men or non-parents showing slightly higher interest in subsidies—the core narrative is unified: structural reform of workforce pay far outweighs adjustments to existing grant or subsidy schemes.

The Childcare Crisis continues to make national headlines.

RTE Radio One today discussed childcare staff shortages, listen to today's interview here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/98013708-89fc-4716-9ed9-b4b00091e945/
Up to 46,000 children on waiting lists for early years place due to staffing shortages Mon 24 Aug • 14 Mins • Today with David McCullagh
Frances Byrne, director of policy at Early Childhood Ireland. Report by our reporter Brian O'Connell.

Last week the Childcare workers pay dispute was highlighted: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/44020d48-f1cb-40cf-a2a1-b4aa00a0e3ba/
Deadlock - Childcare workers pay dispute Tue 18 Aug • 9 Mins • Today with David McCullagh
Darragh O’Connor, Head of Strategic Organising and Campaigns at SIPTU

Tramore Childcare Campaign has been highlighted with 3 parents' experiences by the Irish Times. Read the article here:
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2026/08/11/childcare-blackspots-i-have-knocked-at-every-creche-door-i-dont-want-to-quit-my-job/

Now we turn our attention to Budget 2027.

Have Your Say: How Should Government Spend the 2027 Childcare Budget? Complete here: https://forms.gle/P1U95UGMvnVMzW8Q7

Please complete and share this survey with your network across Ireland so we can tell the Minister for Children what we, as parents want the Childcare Budget to provide.

Please don't hesitate to contact [email protected] if you wish to get more involved.

Hi Everyone,
This morning, 27 July, the full feature broadcast from the launch on July 22 of the Parent Impact Survey results will be aired on WLRFM after 10am.
Please tune in to hear the impact this crisis is having on Tramore families, women and children.

Hi everyone!
Tomorrow morning, Wednesday 22 July, WLRFM are filming at the Coastguard Cultural Centre gardens at 9am.
We need as many parents as possible there to show the true scale of the childcare crisis in Tramore.
It’s our chance to get our stories on air—local radio and online—and show just how much this crisis is affecting the families of Tramore!
Come along for a coffee, a chat, a play date and some social activism!
#TramoreChildcareCampaign

30/06/2026
Deputy David Cullinane brings Tramore Childcare Campaign demands to Minister for Children Norma Foley: Watch here https://youtu.be/fMJ3j4GPn8M?is=G1ri3UqJGdL2XRb5

The transcripts and full debate video are all linked below

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2026-06-30/speech/324

Source: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2026-06-30

How has the Childcare Crisis in Tramore impacted you?!

Tell us here: https://forms.gle/nXapKbc61i74i4xQ6

Please share with parents and families in Tramore. Thank you for your support!

[email protected]

I am delighted to share that this Petition signed by over 420 people affected by the childcare crisis in Tramore has been presented to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the Department of Education; Waterford County Council; and Waterford Elected Public Representatives.

We have also reminded our regional TDs, as promised at the Public Meeting, that we expect an update on how the escalation of these concerns at a national level to ensure tangible action is taken for Tramore families is progressing.

If you would like to volunteer further support, join the subcommittee, submit an expression of interest, or get further involved, please contact our new campaign email address:
[email protected]

Deise Today Interview with Damien Tiernan following up Tramore Childcare Campaign Public meeting
https://youtu.be/1d4o2ZfsLf8?is=nNCFyXkY53brBTNs

That’s a wrap! Thank you everyone!

405 signatures!
Meeting at capacity!

Watch this space for tomorrow’s meeting minutes and follow up and petition presentation!

375 Signatures!

One day before we present this petition and make our local representative bodies listen to the families of Tramore that want to resolve this childcare crisis!

Attending? Register: https://my.uplift.ie/events/tramore-childcare-infrastructure-meeting-june-11th?source=launched&utm_medium=myuplift&utm_source=launched&share=8d9d0f39-ecae-4444-aed3-37ea0ff6791f

With our public meeting at the Coastguard Cultural Centre on June 11th approaching, we need to finalise our numbers to ensure everyone can be accommodated within the venue's capacity.

If you intend to join us at 11:00 AM, please confirm your attendance via this link: https://my.uplift.ie/events/tramore-childcare-infrastructure-meeting-june-11th?source=launched&utm_medium=myuplift&utm_source=launched&share=8d9d0f39-ecae-4444-aed3-37ea0ff6791f

Thank you for your continued support!