*Update 06.12.2023: here are building closures and alternatives in Brussels, but we don’t (yet) see equivalent information for other places of work e.g. Grange or Luxembourg. Remember you have the right to work from the office 100% if you so wish (and you are prepared for the temperatures there).*
Original article: As we have announced in the article Grange childcare: loss of trust! Generation 2004 (together with the Local Staff Committee (Brussels), the President of the Central Staff Committee and representatives of other OSPs) have taken part in the first social dialogue meeting (08.09.2023) devoted to the announced closure of the childcare facility in Grange.
During the meeting, chaired by DG HR, it was agreed that the childcare facility will remain open for staff children till 31.03.2024. DG SANTE (speaking on behalf of DGT, which is also present here) confirmed that they have initiated the procedure to extend the current framework contract. The administration will provide administrative support to the families whose children attend the childcare facility to help them to find alternative solutions, though it remains to be seen what alternative capacity can be made available.
Generation 2004 is happy to see that the administration has returned, at least in what concerns the Grange issue, to the path of proper interaction (social dialogue) with the elected staff representatives: we are here for you! It’s our job to be your voice! This first meeting was quickly followed by another, organised to transfer some additional information. We are watching this situation to ensure that the promised administrative support provides staff in Grange with significant and useful help at least in handling bureaucratic matters, as promised during the meetings.
The promised help from the Commission administration is most welcome, all the more so since in Grange, as in the whole of Ireland, the childcare services sector is very narrow: only 22.9% of under 3 year old are in formal childcare (Country Report Ireland 2022, Table A12.1: Social scoreboard), a figure which is marked there as a cause for concern and something to watch. Look at how this compares with the EU average:
‘The participation in formal childcare among children less than 3 years old is limited, with few children attending childcare for more than 30 hours a week (11.8% versus 19.5% in the EU).’ (Country Report Ireland 2022, p. 47)
You can appreciate how finding a childcare place there can be a huge challenge. The situation is particularly bad and it is worth recalling that the Commission in its European Semester Country Reports have been highlighting this issue in Ireland for many years because of the lack of affordable childcare options.
‘Policy Objective 4: A more social Europe – Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights
The female inactivity rate is high due to caring responsibilities. Investment needs have therefore been identified to promote women’s labor market participation and a better work-life balance, and in particular to […] enhance access to affordable, sustainable and high-quality childcare and long-term care services.’ Country Report Ireland 2019
Against this background, it looks completely inconsistent and hypocritical that the Commission close a childcare facility in Ireland. To keep our integrity, the Commission must not act against our own recommendations.
Apart from questions about the future of childcare facility in Grange, Generation 2004 is wondering about the future of the site itself. Indeed, the announcement of the closure of the nursery in Grange might be considered as a sign of a reduced future at the site. We must keep in mind the Commission goals regarding greening and add to that the fact that buildings in Grange do not meet those ambitious goals settled and add the fact that they recently became Commission property. The combination of the two points above might lead us to the conclusion that the buildings in Grange could be sold, as is being done in Brussels and elsewhere. However in Grange, unlike in Brussels, the real estate market for office buildings is very small, if it really exists at all.
The question of the future of the site emerges and so far, remains open because we didn’t get any clear and definite answer to it from the administration.
Generation 2004 will continue to put pressure on the Administration to continue the proper social dialogue about the situation in Grange both for the longer-term future of the childcare facility and of the site.
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