Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The plan that has been unveiled by Deputy Kerrane is visionary. It is a really exciting policy that can be a game-changer. Delivering childcare for €10 per child per day is essential and I would emphasise that. This is not a policy that the Minister should implement because it is a good or sensible policy. It is a necessary policy. It has to happen. It is a strategic imperative for the State. It is crucial for families to be able to prosper and to be able to afford to make ends meet. There are many couples out there who are thinking of starting a family and the cost of childcare is one of the things that discourages them. We do not have affordable childcare in this State regardless of whatever steps or changes have been made. In Cork, if you have two children in full-time childcare, you are probably looking at €1,500. Even if you have one who might be in an ECCE facility, you are still talking about €1,200. This is a huge sum of money. It is another mortgage. That is crippling for families and is discouraging people from going back to work and having a child or a second child. It is not good enough.

The plan that has been unveiled by Deputy Kerrane and the team around her lays the foundation for finally taking this issue seriously enough, valuing it as early years education, ensuring the workers and staff are valued and ensuring that the sector is sustainable and the places are available. Tá mé ag impí ar an Aire. Tá sé seo riachtanach don todhchaí, don Stát seo, do theaghlaigh agus dúinn go léir. Ní féidir linn fanacht a thuilleadh. Tá muid ag caint faoin ábhar seo ar feadh na mblianta gan mórán dul chun cinn. Caithfidh muid tionchar a dhéanamh. This visionary policy has to be implemented. I am certain it will be a sea change for families and for us as a country and a society.

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