Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children, Claire Kerrane TD, has said Fine Gael’s plans for Childcare, loosely muted once again by Taoiseach Simon Harris, stand in stark contrast to Sinn Féin’s costed €10 a day Childcare, which can be introduced next year.
The Roscommon–Galway TD said this provides the electorate with a clear choice on Childcare in the upcoming General Election.
Speaking in response to an interview by the Taoiseach, Teachta Kerrane said:
“Days before Sinn Féin launched our €10 a day Childcare for all, the Taoiseach was out talking about a public model of Childcare. Today he’s talking about a cap with as little detail as before – seemingly a carbon copy of our Childcare plan with a cap at €200 per month.
“His pledge involves taking the first 100 days in Government to publish a roadmap on his plan to cap Childcare costs, never mind introduce any such cap.
“Sinn Féin has published a comprehensive and fully costed plan to introduce €10 a day Childcare for all starting in September 2025.
“We are also committing to proper pay for Early Years Educators with an initial increase of €1.50 per hour and further pay increases. The last pay increase these professionals saw was 65 cent – a slap in the face.
“Sinn Féin in Government will give Early Years Educators the respect and recognition they deserve. Fine Gael has not done this nor does the Taoiseach appear to have mentioned them in his interview. You cannot talk about Childcare without talking about those essential to delivering it.
“Our plan also commits to building capacity in the Childcare Sector at a time when tens of thousands of children sit on waiting lists without a place. Our proposals are focused on immediate measures to build additional spaces quickly. The Taoiseach is talking about new builds which many parents cannot wait for.
“Voters have a clear choice when it comes to Childcare in the upcoming election – they can vote for my party and €10 a day childcare for all, or they can vote for a party whose latest idea on Childcare is 100 days to publish a roadmap to cap fees after 14 years in Government.”
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