Tánaiste Joan Burton denies trying to ‘buy’ support with childcare cost cuts

Tánaiste Joan Burton has denied opposition claims she is trying to buy back the support of “families you have failed” after new post-election plans to cut the cost of childcare for struggling parents were revealed.

The Labour leader was forced to defend the plans and her party’s record since it entered Government during a fractious Dáil debate in which she was accused of “breaking every single promise you’ve made”.

Leaked details yesterday stated that, if it is re-elected to power, Labour plans to introduce a new scheme to cut the cost of childcare for families by more than 50%, to just €2 an hour.