Budget 'will not put a big dent' in childcare bills, admit ministers

'The money we're putting into the sector, which is around €200m, will support the staff. This is a step-change in investment in childcare, the sector is haemorrhaging staff. The staff are very highly qualified and in my view, the pay that they get does not recognise or reflect the level of responsibility and we're determined to fix that.' 

Those who say Tuesday's budget spreads money too thinly should say where it should not have gone, the Public Expenditure Minister has said.

Speaking on the annual post-budget phone-in on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Michael McGrath and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe defended the budget as one aimed at tackling the rising cost of living, but acknowledged that in places like childcare, that will be felt less immediately.