Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)

The early years education sector is in crisis. It is not serving the interests of parents, children or providers. It is in serious need of investment and adequate funding. Parents are paying the equivalent of a mortgage for services. In some cases, they cannot access childcare even if they could afford it.

My office in Swords responds every day to people caught up in this crisis. David from Malahide, an early years education provider, says the cost is now unsustainable for families. Jessie from Swords, who has just had a baby, is already stressed about having to quit her job to look after the baby and being unable to meet her mortgage payments next year. Nadia, a parent of a one-year-old child, is deeply concerned and anxious about the alarming lack of childcare services and the fact waiting lists are now extending into 2027. One parent summed up her frustration as follows: "This crisis is placing an unjust strain on parents, especially mothers, who are often forced to either compromise their careers or accept inadequate childcare arrangements."

This crisis is not merely a matter of inconvenience but a significant obstacle to gender equality, economic participation and the overall well-being of our children. Sinn Féin remains committed to a public model of childcare. We would deliver childcare at a cost of €10 a day by giving subsidies to providers to bridge the gap between the actual cost of the care and the €10 cap on fees parents would be charged per child. I was proud to stand with the Alliance for Public Early Childhood Education and Care, which is made up of more than 40 organisations and trade unions and led by the National Women's Council, at its campaign last week demanding that the Government honour its commitments to early education. Parents, children, providers and staff cannot wait any longer. We need immediate Government action on childcare provision. Sinn Féin will continue to campaign for an early years model of childcare that is affordable, high quality, accessible and inclusive. What has happened to the promise by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael during the general election campaign to provide childcare at a cost to parents of €200 per month? Their promise must be honoured.

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