Minister responds to criticism of childcare plan

MINISTER for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, has responded to criticism from a Northside senator after she announced extra supports for childcare. 

Minister Zappone said over 70,000 families nationwide will receive extra childcare support as an extra €19 million is pumped into existing childcare schemes. 

Minister Zappone said the changes being introduced will move the childcare system from being one of the most expensive in the world to “one of the best”. 

“The cost of childcare is a major burden on families in Dublin,” she said. “Many tell me that it is the equivalent to a second mortgage or rent. 

“We are now taking steps to ensure the maximum number of families in Dublin will see that burden eased from September. 

“The Government has also agreed that a major information campaign will be launched this month so everyone is in Dublin is aware of their entitlements.” 

Minister Zappone said easing the cost of childcare will also open up opportunities for parents to accept job, training and education opportunities. 

“The changes coming in September are a significant step forward,” she said. “However, there is more work to be done. 

“We are working to extend childcare supports to more families and building an IT system to simplify applications. Further investment will be required and we are working to secure that.”

However, Fianna Fáil Seanad Spokesperson on Justice, Children & Youth Affairs, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, believes the Government’s latest childcare plan will do little to deliver for middle income families.

“An ICT system, which is crucial to determine the level of subsidy entitlement for each family, is still in development, and this delay will result in parents having to wait longer for their payments to kick in,” Senator Clifford-Lee argued.

“Childcare remains one of the biggest challenges facing this country. The price of childcare has spiraled out of control and many families are struggling to cope with these extortionate costs.

“Minister Zappone rushed the rollout of the Single Affordable Childcare Scheme, and we are now left with a system that is scrambling to meet even its most basic requirements. This is the price of trying to score political points.”

Senator Clifford-Lee said the Single Affordable Childcare scheme was designed around an ICT system, which would determine the level of subsidy each family would be entitled to. 

“However, with just five months to go until the scheme opens, we are now learning that this ICT infrastructure will not be ready despite already costing in the region of €30k,” she added. 

“The Department have now decided to use a new form of the Childcare Subvention Scheme to deliver the Single Affordable Childcare Scheme.”

“As a result of this change, it now appears that there will be considerable cuts to the levels of subsidy provided to middle income earners. This is an extremely frustrating and worrying development.”

In response to Senator Clifford-Lee’s criticism, a spokesperson for Minister Zapone told Northside People: “70,000 families will have more money in their pockets this September as a direct result of Minister Zappone’s childcare changes. 

“For these families the changes cannot come fast enough. 

“They cannot wait as Senator Clifford-Lee is suggesting.”