Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis has said that the government parties are breaking their own promises from the 2024 general election.
In the run-up to the November 2024 vote, both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael pledged to reduce childcare costs; nearly two years later, the average monthly fee for a childcare place stands at €845 across Ireland, with the fees higher still in Dublin.
To that end, Dublin Central TD Ennis said that October’s budget must contain “meaningful” measures to reduce costs.
A recent report from the Irish Independent contacted 142 creches, with 117 of those surveyed saying that waiting lists exceeded at least one year, while some surveyed had to close waiting lists due to demand.
Ennis said the report “comes as little surprise to hard-pressed parents,” saying that the picture is “bleak.”
The Social Democrats spokesperson on children said that the childcare sector is “struggling under the weight of excess demand for places” with the report “laying bare the exorbitant costs faced by families.”
Ennis said there are three key problems in the childcare sector; they are not enough childcare places, the ones that are available are hugely expensive, and staff retention is a major issue for childcare providers.
“It’s clear that the almost total reliance on private provision of care and education for our youngest citizens is not meeting anyone’s needs,” he said.
Ennis said that his party were committed to bringing down childcare costs, saying that a public model was needed.
“Direct state delivery of childcare would have the triple benefit of guaranteeing quality early years education and care for children, affordability for parents, and appropriate pay for workers in the sector,” he explained.
“It would also allow direct intervention in childcare black spots, to fill gaps not covered by private providers.
He said that structural reform of the system is what is needed in the long-term.
“Core funding has helped keep costs manageable for parents, but there are clearly issues with the scheme, and the government should work with providers to minimise the administrative burden. It would also make sense that changes in the cost-of-living be taken into account when setting fee levels,” he said.
“During the 2024 general election campaign, Simon Harris pledged that he would cap childcare costs at €200 per month during the lifetime of this government. And despite promising to publish a plan within 100 days of taking office, we have yet to see a roadmap for how this will be achieved,” he noted.
Ennis put pressure on Harris, who is now controlling the Finance purse strings ahead of October’s Budget, to reduce costs.
“Now that he is Minister for Finance, this is something he must address as a priority issue in Budget 2027,” Ennis said.