Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

In some cases, average childcare costs can equate to mortgage repayments. Some parents are paying up to €1,500 per month for childcare, which is completely unsustainable in the short and the long term. The provider of childcare has to be subsidised by the State. If the subsidy is €5 per hour and the baby is in crèche for 36 to 40 hours per week, it would amount to approximately €800 per month. If the average cost is €1,400 then €600 is paid by the parents. Are the subsidies too low? The Minister is asking for €50 million to plug the black hole relating to the NCS next year.

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