Government 'downplaying childcare expectations'

LABOUR leader Pat Rabbitte has accused the Government of now downplaying expectations about the Budget's childcare package after building up high expectations for months.

The Government, he said, has sat on its hands on childcare for seven years and is now claiming it will take years to solve the childcare crisis.

However, while accepting it will take years, Mr Rabbitte said that a lot could be done immediately. He instanced the affordability issue and extending paid leave for parents.