Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children, Disability, and Equality, Claire Kerrane TD, has called on Minister for Children Norma Foley to provide a timeframe for the review of Core Funding, as committed to in the Programme for Government.

Teachta Kerrane said:

“Core Funding was introduced to support childcare providers with operating costs, it is costing hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money and despite this, providers are exiting.

“When a provider withdraws from Core Funding, it is parents, who are already stretched to their limit with childcare costs, who are paying the price.

“This is putting some parents in a position where they have to question their ability to remain at work.

“The current funding model is not working for providers or for parents.

“Today, concerned parents contacted me following notification from their childcare provider that they would be withdrawing from Core Funding and, from July onwards, prices would increase by approximately 30%.

“In simple terms, this means that the full-time rate for one child will now increase from €970 per month to €1,300 per month.

“The school age rate will increase from €695 per month to €950 per month.

“While at the same time, the government continues their mantra that they’ve cut childcare costs in half.

“Core Funding has been in place now since 2022, I have repeatedly called for it to be reviewed and I welcome the commitment in the Programme for Government to do this.

“The Minister must act swiftly and provide a timeframe for when a review of core funding will commence.

“Parents and providers cannot continue to pay the price for her inaction.”