Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kerrane for bringing forward this motion. The Sinn Féin plan to deliver childcare at €10 per day or €200 per month is visionary and ambitious but it is also realistic and achievable. In that regard, all we have to do is look to the likes of Denmark and Sweden for examples. In Meath, on the basis of CSO figures, almost 10,300 children would benefit from this measure immediately. By introducing it, we would lift a massive financial burden from families. In Meath, families are paying between €800 and €1,150 per child per month in childcare fees. Sinn Féin's proposal would reduce this to €200 per month. That is a saving of between €600 and €950 per month. This would be transformational. It would lift a massive financial burden from families and in doing so, give people some relief and allow them to draw breath and lift their head. For most, it would give them the chance to pay down some other debt. It would give the lucky ones - and that is the hope for us all - a chance to spend more time with friends and family and in their communities. Affordability is crucial and Sinn Féin has a plan to deliver it.

Like affordability, capacity is also crucial. It is no good being able to afford childcare if you cannot access it in the first place. In Meath, access is a major issue. In 2022-23, 38% of services had waiting lists. They are sure to be even longer now. We have long-promised crèches that are years in development. I think of the Willows in Dunshaughlin, which was granted planning in July after years of waiting or Millerstown in Kilcock, where a purpose-built crèche has been lying vacant 18 months after completion. The Sinn Féin plan would deliver affordable childcare and address the issues of capacity and recruitment and retention in the sector. It is an excellent plan and the Minister should adopt it.

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