Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend Deputies Kerrane and Funchion on putting this motion together and bringing it to the House. Despite the lack of a coherent message or plan from the Government parties about the structure of childcare going forward, Sinn Féin’s policy and its plans are clear and costed and are designed to address the immediate needs of parents and the sector. The system, as it is currently designed, is not in line with what the Minister has just told us. It does not work effectively for parents, for many children and or for early years providers.

Sinn Féin has stepped up with a clear plan that offers a real hope of change and affordability. To invest €345 million to deliver €10 per day childcare for parents is not too much to ask for parents who are struggling with the high cost of childcare and general living.

If we want our childcare professionals to remain in the sector here, they must be paid a decent wage and have their efforts to gain advanced qualifications acknowledged. That is why we provide for €53.8 million in funding for a €1.50 hourly wage increase for workers in the sector to improve retention and increase capacity though improved viability of services. A contingency fund would also be in place to cover increases in the future.

Regarding capacity, we aim to incorporate self-employed childminders if possible into our scheme, with Tusla-registered childminders targeted in the first year. This approach would also bring about stability in the sector.

We would also bring community buildings into use which will be of particular benefit for some small early years providers I have spoken to. We are also committing to a full review of core funding with full transparency from providers so we can establish where costs have increased, its impact on viability, and the changes needed to ensure viability.

Other countries cap the price of childcare. It is time we did so instead of expecting parents to pay some of the highest childcare costs in Europe. Sinn Féin will make Ireland a better place to raise a family and build a future.

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