Sinn Féin launch €10 a day childcare plan for 6,500 children in Donegal

Sinn Féin have launched a plan to deliver childcare at a cost of €10 a day per child.

The plan was published by party President Mary Lou McDonald TD, Donegal TD and Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD, and Spokesperson for Children, Claire Kerrane TD. The fully-costed plan is ready to be delivered in the first year of government.

The plan would deliver subsidies to providers to bridge the gap between the actual cost of care and a €10 a day cap on fees charged to families. This mirrors international precedents where costs have been cut for families and would cost an investment of €345 million to deliver.

Teachta Doherty said: “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.

“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.”

Sinn Féin’s plan ‘€10 A Day Childcare For All: Delivering Affordable Childcare For Parents’ is available to view here.

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