Councilor Criticizes Lack of Public Childcare in Wulai and Pinglin; New Taipei to Establish Fixed-Point Temporary Care in Remote Areas by Year-End

(Central News Agency reporters Tsao Ya-yen and Huang Hsu-sheng, New Taipei, July 15) New Taipei City councilors today criticized the lack of public childcare facilities (public托) in Wulai and Pinglin, following earlier inquiries during the May municipal plenary session. However, the city government continues to cite insufficient infant populations in remote areas as grounds for not establishing such services.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) New Taipei City Councilor Chen Nai-yu pointed out during the May municipal plenary session that public childcare resources in remote areas such as Wulai and Pinglin are inadequate, urging the city government to improve the situation. In response, the Social Affairs Bureau emphasized that the standard for establishing public托 is based on having 'more than 200 children aged 0 to under 2 years.' Since Wulai District has only 106 children in this age group and Pinglin District only 25, the city currently only supplements services through 'public parent-child centers' and temporary childcare.

Chen Nai-yu stated, 'Where a child is born should not determine whether they can access public childcare.' She criticized the city government for using public parent-child centers as a shield, calling the response inadequate. Parent-child centers are designed for family activities and parenting workshops and cannot meet parents' needs for long-term childcare.

Chen emphasized that children in remote areas should not have their rights overlooked. The small population in these areas is precisely why the government should proactively fill resource gaps, not use it as an excuse to refuse public托 establishment. A population below the threshold does not mean childcare demand is absent. She urged the city government to review public托 establishment criteria, adopt region-specific approaches for remote areas, and substantively plan public childcare facilities.

In response, the New Taipei City Social Affairs Bureau stated that from March to May this year, it has surveyed available sites across remote districts and plans to establish one fixed-point temporary childcare site in each district by year-end. Going forward, in alignment with the Childcare Services Act and its subordinate regulations, the bureau will assess the feasibility of community-based and indigenous tribal mutual childcare institutions, while seeking suitable locations to provide childcare services.

The bureau noted that New Taipei currently operates 130 public托 centers, accommodating 6,565 children—the highest number nationwide. Considering the prevalence of grandparent-led or intergenerational households in remote areas, there is a need for community parent-child spaces. Since 2014 (Year 103), 12 public parent-child centers have been established, offering shared play and learning services and friendly spaces for seniors and preschool children. Additionally, starting in 2023 (Year 112), the city has actively conducted childcare personnel training and continues to collaborate with district offices and community groups to provide parenting workshops and childcare guidance services. (Edited by Lin Shu-hui) 1150715