Thu Sep 12 08:36:30 UTC 2024: ## Sinn Féin Claims €345 Million Could Fund €10 a Day Childcare
Sinn Féin has proposed a plan to dramatically reduce childcare costs for parents, claiming that just €345 million in state funding could implement a €10 per day childcare system.
This proposal comes ahead of the upcoming General Election, where childcare is expected to be a key policy battleground. Many parents are struggling with the high cost of childcare, and Sinn Féin’s plan aims to ease this burden.
According to Roscommon Galway TD Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin would use the existing National Childcare Scheme and expand its subsidies. “We want to spend €105 million on closing the gap between providers’ costs and charges and €10 to ensure that every parent pays no more than €10 a day for childcare,” she stated.
The party also plans to include childminders in the subsidy scheme, with an additional €240 million allocated to support their services. Sinn Féin has asserted that their plan is feasible and has been validated by economists.
The current coalition government has already been working to reduce childcare costs through increased state subsidies. In Budget 2024, €1.109 billion was allocated to the early learning and childcare sector, leading to a rise in the National Childcare Scheme subsidy from €1.40 per hour to €2.14.
However, Sinn Féin’s plan proposes a significantly larger investment, with the aim of creating a more affordable and accessible childcare system for all Irish families. The upcoming General Election will see a fierce debate over this issue, with both parties vying for the support of parents facing high childcare costs.
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