Economist: Childcare 'the headline grabber'

Speaking at the launch of their quarterly economic outlook, Jim Power, Chief Economist at Friends First said that childcare is "to be the headline grabber this year".

Mr Power said: "Childcare is likely to be the headline grabber this year, just as disability was last year and decentralisation was the previous year. How much the Minister gives away in increased spending will be determined by his targeted deficit. He can afford to give anything up to €2.5bn away which allows for a very generous budget day package."