According to Breaking News.ie, Sinn Féin has unveiled an ambitious plan to slash childcare costs for Irish parents. The opposition party aims to cap daily childcare fees at just €10 per child, potentially transforming the lives of families across the country.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald highlighted the financial strain many parents face, comparing childcare costs to a second mortgage. The proposed plan seeks to address this burden while also boosting pay for early years educators.
Key features of Sinn Féin’s childcare proposal include:
- Capping daily childcare costs at €10 per child
- Extending the National Childcare Scheme to cover 90% of childminders
- Increasing pay for early years educators by €1.50 per hour
- Expanding parental leave and benefits
Sinn Féin claims these changes could be implemented as early as next year if they lead the next government. The party estimates the total cost of the plan at around €600 million annually, which they say can be funded through existing budget surpluses.
The announcement comes as other political parties, including Fine Gael and the Green Party, have also expressed interest in reforming Ireland’s childcare system. However, Sinn Féin criticizes these statements as mere “soundbites” without concrete plans.
As the debate over childcare costs continues, Irish parents will be closely watching to see if this ambitious proposal becomes a reality.