Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Government repeatedly says it recognises that our country is going through a cost-of-living crisis and that it understands the financial difficulties families and grandparents are experiencing, yet time and time again, it votes against any measures brought forward by the Opposition - particularly those of my own party Sinn Féin - that would alleviate the high costs of childcare and early learning, and remodel it to a mandatory national fee structure system. I hope this very important issue for families in County Wexford and across the country will not fall on deaf ears once again. It is within the Government's power to act and ease the burden on parents. I would go as far as to say that childcare and early learning are imperative for the whole country and for ensuring a sustainable robust economy into the future. Public investment is the key solution to helping struggling parents and guardians and will support both the private and community services, which at present are rapidly becoming unviable. In fact, new research by the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, FECP, stated that 264 providers will be unable to stay in business next year.

In our motion brought forward by Deputy Funchion, Sinn Féin is calling for the Government to give families a break by cutting the cost of childcare to two thirds from 2022 levels. The 25% decrease in fees in budget 2023 was positive help but it fell a way short of relieving the financial burden on parents and guardians. Childcare fees are still far too high. The percentage decrease did not go far enough, given the fact that many families continue to pay sky-high childcare fees, paying between €800 in most areas and up to €1,300 per child, per month, in cities. The ever-increasing costs faced by families and the rising energy costs are making childcare an unobtainable luxury.

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When parents cannot access affordable childcare, this will make it harder for them to keep a job or re-enter the workforce or further education. It will impact women even more.

The Government also needs to allocate additional funding to provide fair play for professionals working in the sector as poor pay is driving highly qualified childcare staff out of their careers in search of work with a fair wage.

The Minister promised that childcare fees would be decreased by 25% in budget 2024. Will that promise be honoured? Parents want and need affordable, local and high-quality childcare. Providers need financial assistance.

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