Addressing childcare costs 'an absolute priority for me', says Tánaiste
The cost of childcare was a central theme in November's election, with broad political consensus that €200 a month per child was the most parents should pay. File picture
Childcare costs will be addressed in the Budget, the Tánaiste has said.
The cost of childcare was a central theme in November's election, with broad political consensus that €200 a month per child was the most parents should pay.
However, the programme for government does not give a timeline on when this might be achieved or how. It says that the government will "progressively reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the National Childcare Scheme and explore options to cap costs for larger families".
While the previous government had increased subsidies available to parents in 2022 and 2024, the Department of Children has authorised over 600 providers to increase fees from the beginning of March, largely negating the 2024 subsidy increase in many cases.
The increase means that many parents are paying more from March in childcare than they were before the election.
Simon Harris told the that while he did not wish to speculate on what might be in October's Budget or "cut across" other ministers, he does envisage a change to childcare costs coming.
He said the €200 per month amount is "one of the few specific monetary commitments in the program for government".
"We took a decision to specifically state €200 per month in the program for government, and I say that to parents by way of showing that this is a real signal of our intent," the Tánaiste said.
"We will have a budgetary process. But what I can say as the leader of Fine Gael is that making real progress on the cost of childcare is an absolute priority for me.
"In fact, I talk about my priorities from a budgetary point of view, as childcare, our disability services and housing, these are areas that we have to make progress on."
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce’s Business Outlook Survey showed that nine out of 10 businesses reported childcare being an issue when it comes to attracting or retaining staff. Mr Harris, however, said that it was not just the cost that needed to be addressed.
"The harder bit, but the really important bit is to make sure we have enough places and we would have, as a party, put forward a view in relation to the State needing to be more interventionist. And I'm really pleased that language has made into the program for government."
Asked if he would consider a move that would make a place in childcare a legal right, Mr Harris said he was open to the idea, but said that the public wants "action".
"I'm open to legislative change in these areas and giving children a legislative, legal right to early childhood education. But I also know this...what we need to do is make practical steps here for people," he said.
"I think if we've learned anything over the last number of years, people don't necessarily want a referendum on something or a shiny new law.
"What they want is action. What they want is delivery. So I'm open to engage on the idea of changing the law, but it's actually more important for me that we reduce the cost and increase the places."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
