Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children, Claire Kerrane TD, has criticised Fine Gael’s promise to introduce 100 state-run childcare facilities within two years if returned to power, calling it ‘blatant electioneering’ as the capacity crisis in the childcare sector was ignored by Fine Gael in their last 14 years in Government.
 
​Teachta Kerrane said:
 
“The promises currently being made by Fine Gael in relation to addressing the capacity crisis in the childcare sector is nothing but blatant electioneering. It is rich that this issue was ignored in the last 14 years of Fine Gael in power, yet they are suddenly committing to address the lack of capacity and accessibility in childcare in the run-up to this election.
 
“The plans themselves are flawed as families cannot wait until 2026 for the roll out of more childcare facilities.
 
“Fine Gael has committed to creating state-run childcare facilities with new builds and refurbishing State owner buildings – but within two years if they return to power. 
 
“Fine Gael has plans for both private and public childcare to run together. However, they are yet to launch a comprehensive policy plan that will show voters how this will work. There are too many questions left unanswered, and this shows Fine Gael’s last minute panic to try solve the childcare crisis that they blatantly ignored for over a decade.
 
“There is no denying that Childcare will be a key issue for the upcoming general election. Sinn Féin launched our Childcare Policy months ago – providing clear alternatives for families that can be implemented immediately.
 
“On top of our plan for childcare to be capped at €10 a day, we will address the lack of childcare places by focusing on the staff recruitment and retention crisis. We have committed to immediately increasing the hourly minimum rate for Early Years Educators by €1.50. We have also ringfenced funding in our five-year expenditure plan to increase this hourly rate as a result of future sectoral negotiations. Early Years Educators must be guaranteed a future in the sector and given the respect that they deserve. There is no point in trying to provide more places if we do not have the staff.
 
“The Core Funding model must be looked at again. It has the potential to work well to support wages and operational costs. However, we are seeing more and more providers pulling out – which is why in Government, Sinn Féin would commit to a full review of Core Funding.
 
“We would also put in place more immediate measures to improve accesibility by including childminders in the €10 a day fee cap. We would ensure a fair balance is struck between stakeholders in the sector to ensure an efficient and equitable registration process for childminders.
 
“Sinn Féin would also support the Social Enterprise Model to provide more Community-based childcare, especially in rural areas where it may not be profitable for private providers. We have put a €20,000 feasibility study to the Minister to pilot the expansion of the Social Enterprise Model in the sector. This cost-effective model would allow for childcare to be provided in shared community hubs, where the costs of energy, rent and insurance would be shared, as well as physical space for parking and outdoor activities. This would also bypass the high costs and time needed for building, refurbishing and planning.
 
“Sinn Féin’s Childcare policy also extends benefits for parents to care for babies in their first year, if they wish. This flexibility postpartum would also ease the strain on childcare places.
 
“Families and the care of children were pushed to the side during the last 14 years of Fine Gael in power – this shows they have absolutely no credibility on this issue. 
 
“Childcare needs to be given proper attention and solutions. Sinn Féin has shown that it has, and will continue to be committed to solving the growing number of issues in the sector – something that Fine Gael has repeatedly failed to do until it suits them.”

ENDS