Mixed reaction to new plan to tackle childcare crisis

A PLAN to help deliver childcare at a cost of €10 a day per child has been described as “hollow” unless full support is given to stem the exodus of childcare providers from the sector.

Sinn Féin say 6,500 children in Donegal in childcare and minded by childminders will avail of childcare for €10 a day under their plan.

The plan was launched by party President Mary Lou McDonald TD, Donegal TD and Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD, and Spokesperson for Children, Claire Kerrane TD.

They say the fully-costed plan is ready to be delivered in the first year of government.

The plan would deliver subsidies to providers to bridge the gap between the actual cost of care and a €10 a day cap on fees charged to families.

This mirrors international precedents where costs have been cut for families and would cost an investment of €345 million to deliver.

Teachta Doherty said: “The plan is fully costed and ready to be delivered in the first year of government.

“Childcare in Donegal has been far too expensive for far too long. Government has taken a hands-off approach, instead of standing up to support families and ensure costs are affordable for parents.

“Other countries cap the price of childcare and it is time to do it here where parents pay some of the highest childcare costs in Europe.

“Under Sinn Féin’s plan, if your child attends childcare or a childminder full-time, five days a week, we will cut your childcare costs from €800 to €200 a month.

“Our fully costed plan also sets out how we would ramp up capacity in the childcare sector in Donegal, to ensure children can be guaranteed a space when they need it.

“Our plan would involve an investment of €345 million funding. We believe this is an important investment in families and our children’s futures.”

But Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD said the childcare debate “rings hollow” if providers are forced to close.

He said that pre-budget proposals from the various political parties are “utterly meaningless” unless “we stem the exodus of childcare providers from the sector”.

“We know that over the past five years well over 180 childcare providers have left the sector and closed their doors. The core funding model from the Department of Children is not enough and is closing down childcare providers. If childcare providers continue to close their doors en masse then nobody wins.

“Sinn Féin or the government parties can propose ceilings on the cost of childcare all they want but the reality is that placements are an issue – not just costs. I know of parents who are putting their children on waiting lists for childcare from the moment they are born, such is the lack of capacity within the sector.”

He said the four cohorts of people struggling when it comes to this sector are parents, children, providers and staff.

“What has happened thus far if that government have placed a ceiling on the income earned by providers, without putting proper core funding in place, thus crippling these small businesses.”

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