According to The Irish Examiner, Fine Gael is set to include a novel proposal in its upcoming election manifesto to transform vacant State-owned buildings, including unused international protection accommodation centers, into childcare facilities.
The party, led by Taoiseach Simon Harris, aims to address childcare costs by potentially utilizing up to 100 existing buildings. Harris has previously proposed capping childcare expenses at €200 per month per child and establishing a publicly funded childcare model.
The proposal comes as political parties finalize their manifestos ahead of an expected general election on November 29. Fine Gael differentiates its approach from Sinn Féin by emphasizing the use of State resources to create new childcare facilities.
The party’s initiative follows Harris’s September commitment to develop an affordable early childhood education and care system, with plans to provide a detailed roadmap within the first 100 days of potential government office.