Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Government statements on childcare bear little resemblance to reality. Despite claims that costs have been reduced by upwards of 50%, survey data last year illustrated that parents in some counties are still paying upwards of €1,100 per month. Despite Fine Gael having campaigned on introducing a public model of childcare, in the programme for Government it is silent. Allusions to reducing childcare costs to €200 per month by some unstated and unknown date are without any meaning or worth. For many families, childcare remains akin to a second mortgage at a time when many are struggling to cover household costs, to make ends meet in terms of utility bills and to put food on the table. Will the Minister please outline to the House the timeframe by which the Government will deliver the promises it campaigned on?

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