Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)

During the general election, you could not move but for tripping over another promotion of €200-a-month childcare. Every party on the Government side was at it. That is what happens in elections and now, unfortunately, we have been told this promise will fade into dust and there will be no movement on it in the upcoming budget. It is extremely cynical and stressful for parents. We have the worst-funded childcare in the OECD. We also have the worst childcare cost-to-wage ratio in Europe, with workers struggling to put their children in childcare.

Fingal, the area I represent, has the second most expensive childcare, yet what we are seeing is that it is not the cost, but the lack of availability that is the key problem. People are finding out they are pregnant and are almost, in embryo, putting their children on waiting lists for scarce places. Childcare providers have been driven out for various reasons, primarily because the previous Government tried to subsidise a completely private childcare system. It cannot work. You cannot provide childcare at a profit, just like you cannot provide education or healthcare at a profit either. It is not possible. During the election, one childcare provider in Dublin West that now charges €1,560 a month, which is higher than the €1,000 the motion mentions, increased its fees by 20% even though it was getting subsidies from the State. We need a public childcare system, State provision of land when estates are built, and State underwriting of insurance and other costs. All schools could also be part of a childcare system, particularly after-school care, the grounds and so on. Many parents have raised with me that a lot of schools will not even allow private providers to use premises for children to attend after-school. That is something every school should be asked to do straight away. These are State-funded schools.

Ultimately, we need a system that is completely provided by the State just like we have at primary, secondary and third levels. I find it interesting that every party is saying that right now when it was something that was only said by socialists a few short years ago. The difference is it is never going to happen under this Government. It did not happen with the healthcare system and it will not happen with childcare, because it will be the last thing to be done.

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