Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend Deputy Kerrane not only on bringing the motion to the Dáil tonight and allowing us to debate this important issue but also on bringing this policy forward in the short time that she has been spokesperson on childcare for our party. The Deputy mentioned that this is a game-changer and that is exactly what it is. Talking to parents in my constituency over the weekend, that is the language they used because, as the Minister will be aware, the cost of childcare in my county ranges from €600 to €1,200. The idea that young couples would get childcare for €10 per day and not have to wait years to get it, and that Sinn Féin in government would deliver it from next year on, is a game-changer for them and for their finances in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

It is also the appropriate thing and right thing to do. Not only do we deliver a €10-a-day childcare guarantee for everybody in formal childcare settings and for those childminders already registered with Tusla, but Sinn Féin's plan, under Deputy Kerrane, is to extend that to all childminders across the State through a registration process. That is the exciting part of this. It looks at the issue of capacity and affordability, not only from the parents' point of view in that €10-a-day childcare pledge but also in relation to the providers and the issues that they need addressed in terms of a major contingency fund to address their core funding needs after an appropriate review.

There are capacity issues within the sector, many of which have been building up because of Government inaction. As Deputy Kerrane said, the first and best step to start to deal with that is for us to pay early years educators an appropriate wage. An immediate pay increase of €1.50 per hour needs to be delivered to ensure early years educators are paid a more appropriate rate. Importantly, there should be, as we have in our plan, a contingency fund to ensure there are wage increases every year after that to make sure we recognise the value of those in whose care we entrust our children.

I commend this policy which I believe is a game-changer. It is one of the most exciting policies I have seen come before the House. It can be done and has been done in Canada. In parts of Canada, $10-per-day childcare has been pledged.

Under Sinn Féin, parents will have that same commitment. You will get your childcare for €10 per day - no more, no less.

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