Speaking after the launch of the Sinn Fein Childcare section of their Alternative Budget for 2017, Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe said that his party had prioritised the area and has identified as part of their proposals a €111 million fund that would subsidise the cost of childcare for children aged 6 months to 3 years, by an average of €4994 a year or €96 a week.
Crowe said that the measures proposed would significantly alleviate some of the strain experienced by workers with childcare responsibilities and their families.
Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Affordable and accessible high-quality childcare remains a critical issue for thousands of parents and children across this state. Childcare providers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their doors open due to increasingly high costs in running their services.

“Many of the staff in the childcare sector say they are finding it impossible to make ends meet on minimum wage salaries while many providers say it’s getting increasingly difficult to create any space or spare time for training and the necessary upskilling of staff. The current situation is not working and is completely unsustainable.

“There is clearly a long road still to travel if we are to achieve an early-years model that we can be proud of – one that is publicly subsidised through general taxation, child- focused and which is part of a wider Early Years Strategy.

“Outlined within our alternative Budget 2017 proposals are actions that would overnight transform, enhance and lift the financial burden of thousands of families reliant on childcare.

“We acknowledge that the childcare sector has been chronically underfunded for many years and that is why we would have proposed allocated monies amounting to roughly €250 million, a highly significant investment.

“Childcare in cities like Dublin and Cork can cost anything from €800 to €1000 a month, equivalent to rent or a second mortgage for many families.

“According to figures from the OECD, in March 2015, Ireland had the most expensive childcare in Europe. Across the European Union childcare costs are about 12% of a family’s income. In Ireland, it is a massive 35%. This is substantially down to a lack of subsidisation and a long term lack of investment by successive governments.

“Without investment in affordable childcare facilities many families are forced to rely on family or friends or unregistered childminders.
“Our proposals would halve bills for thousands of parents of children aged 6 months to 3 years. We believe this is a very significant first step in a longer move towards a broadly publicly subsided system, which sees childcare as a public good and is universally available to all families.

“We also recognise the need to expand the Early Childhood Care Education scheme, from the current 38 weeks to 43 weeks. This would be to the benefit of children, families, and childcare professionals alike. The majority of childcare professionals are extremely committed and hardworking but need to have their pay, conditions, access to training and career progression improved.

“That is why we are opening up the learner fund to level 7 and 8 courses, and extending the higher and lower capitation grant.

“Quality affordable childcare with a well-paid professional workforce is both socially and economically essential and that is the destination we collectively need to work towards if we are to have an inclusive society.

“Ultimately, we want to create a system that is universal and equal in its treatment of all children and parents, while supporting providers and educators in their provision of the best possible care.
“The time is now for a new and radical approach to childcare and its provision.”