Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Childcare is a massive issue for young parents in every constituency. The cost of childcare here is one of the highest in Europe. We need clarity on how it is proposed to reduce fees for parents, improve pay and conditions for staff and increase the number of places available for children. Fine Gael's policy lab has done excellent work to accurately reflect concerns and preferred solutions for a wide range of diverse groups in the Care of the Child policy paper. Last Friday, I visited two brilliant childcare and early year education services in Mayo. There is frustration among some about the lack of co-location of education and childcare services. This should be factored into the future capital building projects. Early childhood and childcare must become key pillars in the national development plan. I ask the Tánaiste whether the Government's new core funding model will address affordability for young parents through an enhanced early childhood care and education scheme and the national childcare scheme.

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