TD calls for local authorities to provide childcare places

A GOVERNMENT TD yesterday called for local authorities to be forced to set aside funds to provide childcare places for working parents.

In a Private Members Bill, Fianna Fáil TD Barry Andrews outlined how councils could ring-fence money paid by developers in levies to cover the cost of creches and child minders.

“Childcare is one of the greatest challenges facing young families, with costs amounting to a second mortgage for many parents,” he said.

“What my Bill proposes is the creation of childcare co-ops run by local authorities, in partnership with employers and parents.”

In the first Private Members Bill tabled by a Government backbencher, Mr Andrews said it would be a simple step in the battle to solve the crisis in childcare funding.

“In many other countries local authorities take a lead role in the provision of childcare, and I believe they should take a much greater role here. What I am proposing is that a specific part of the contributions which councils receive from developers in levies would be ring fenced for childcare provision,” the TD for Dun Laoghaire said.

In order to ensure councils would not shirk their responsibility Mr Andrews said the Planning and Development Amendment Bill 2005 would force authorities to set aside funds.

“This childcare fund would be used to rent, purchase or, in some cases, build Childcare facilities.”

Mr Andrews said he would be asking finance minister Brian Cowen to expand and simplify the rules governing tax benefits and childcare.

“This would ensure that both employers and employees would have a direct interest in running and maintaining quality affordable childcare facilities,” he said.