Donegal Deputy and Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has unveiled his party’s plan to help lift the burden faced by many when using childcare services.
The Sinn Fein plan, which the party says has been fully-costed, would ensure that parents would have to pay a maximum of only €10 per day via help from Government subsidies.
€350 million is planned for the potential scheme, which Sinn Fein says would be implemented within the first year of getting into Government.
The party says this scheme mirrors similar programmes that have been introduced internationally.
Deputy Doherty says this will help the parents of the 6,500 children in Donegal currently in childcare services or using childminders to save massively on the cost of care.
“Our plan sets out how Sinn Féin would deliver childcare at €10 a day per child. This would ensure childcare is affordable for families in Donegal,” Deputy Doherty said in a statement announcing the plan.
“The plan is fully costed and ready to be delivered in the first year of government.”
“That means some 6,500 children in Donegal in childcare and minded by childminders would avail of childcare for €10 a day under a Sinn Féin government.”
“Childcare in Donegal has been far too expensive for far too long. Government has taken a hands-off approach, instead of standing up to support families and ensure costs are affordable for parents.”
“Other countries cap the price of childcare and it is time to do it here where parents pay some of the highest childcare costs in Europe.”
“Under Sinn Féin’s plan, if your child attends childcare or a childminder full-time, five days a week, we will cut your childcare costs from €800 to €200 a month.”
“Too many families in Donegal struggle to find a suitable childcare place and are stuck on long waiting lists.”
“Our fully costed plan also sets out how we would ramp up capacity in the childcare sector in Donegal, to ensure children can be guaranteed a space when they need it.”
“Our plan would involve an investment of €345 million funding. We believe this is an important investment in families and our children’s futures.”
“With affordable childcare and affordable housing, Sinn Féin will make Donegal a better place to raise a family and build a future.”