Sinn Féin has produced a document as part of a set of proposals that would attempt to slash childcare fees by two thirds for all parents over the next two budgets.
The party launched its universal proposals to subsidise childcare through a €270 million investment.
Sinn Féin’s Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty says they can provide significant additional funding to the sector in exchange for the providers reducing fees by two thirds.
“Many parents, especially women, are forced out of the workforce as they struggle to afford to go back to work due to these crippling costs,” he told the Dáil.
“We can cut childcare fees so that they are affordable for the many families who are currently fleeced and this can be done by providing significant additional funding to the sector in exchange for the providers cutting fees by two thirds.
“This is in the gift of the government.”
“Our proposals would cut fees for parents, but also ensure that providers receive crucial funding to invest in their services.”
“Parents simply cannot afford these fees that they are being asked to pay,” he added.
“Highly skilled staff are struggling financially to remain in jobs that they love and services are equally under enormous financial pressure to remain viable, so the system is broken, minister.
“Our proposals would cut fees for parents, but also ensure that providers receive crucial funding to invest in their services. It would also ensure fair pay for a highly educated workforce.
“Families simply can’t keep waiting for this government to take this crisis seriously and it’s time to cut childcare fees and to cut them by two thirds.”
