Multi-billion euro plan to tackle childcare crisis
The 10-year proposal would cost €1.7 billion a year when fully operational and would bring Ireland in line with the childcare funding provided by most European countries, NWCI head of policy Orla O’Connor said.
“Childcare costs here are among the highest in Europe and Irish parents receive the lowest level of support in meeting these costs,” Ms O’Connor said.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform financed the NWCI childcare plan and Equality Minister Frank Fahy will officially launch it in Dublin.
The NWCI Accessible Childcare Model proposes:
* A 50% reduction in childcare costs for all parents of one and two-year-olds and up to 100% reduction - depending on income.
* Paid maternity leave to be increased from 18 to 26 weeks.
* Five days paid paternity leave to be taken within one month of birth.
* Paid parental leave, on top of the 26 weeks maternity leave, for 26 weeks - for mother or father.
* Free childcare programme for three-and-a-half hours each week day for all three and four-year-olds, with subsidised childcare for the remainder of the day.
* Subsidised after-school care for five to 14-year-olds - depending on income.
All parents would get a 50% subsidy on childcare - regardless of income - this would be extended to 75% for those paying the lowest tax rate of 20% and free childcare would be provided for those on minimum wages.
Ms O’Connor said the plan is based on the 2004 OECD review of the Irish childcare system which recommended 1% of GDP be spent on childcare each year. Childcare will be a major issue in the next general elections, she said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is chairing a Cabinet sub-committee considering the five-year childcare strategy produced by the National Childrens’ Office High Level Group.
Mr Fahy’s spokesman said he welcomed the research carried out by the NWCI.
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