South Dublin: Average cost of childcare is €217 per week, figures reveal

The average cost to care for a child in south Dublin is €217.09 per week, newly revealed figures show.

Sinn Féin TDs for Dublin Mid-West Eoin O Broin and Mark Ward have said that the Government need to step in and ease the burden of childcare of families in the area.

“Childcare costs are far too high and are unaffordable for families on ordinary incomes,” says Deputy Ward.

“The government needs to properly fund the sector, so that childcare fees will go down and families’ finances will get a much-needed break.

“This time last year in their Programme for Government, the coalition announced a series of promises to reform the childcare sector.

“However, we are now a year on and not only have childcare fees not fallen, but they have actually risen even further.

“This failure is letting down families here Dublin Mid-West who are faced with weekly fees of  €217.09 per child.

“Families with more than one child in full time childcare face an even higher financial burden.”

Deputy Ó Broin said that parents in Lucan, Clondalkin, Palmerstown and the Four Districts “are struggling to cope” with the rising childcare costs.

“The Government has dismally failed working parents who need affordable childcare in their first year.

“Families are crying out for this crisis to be addressed, but the Government isn’t listening,” he said.

“Sinn Féin in government would prioritise tackling the cost of childcare.

We would take on the cost of staff wages, so that fees would go down for parents. This would reduce fees by one third within the first year and then by two thirds over five years.

“Childcare should be affordable and it should be accessible locally.

“It’s a place where children go to learn, develop and grow – that’s why it’s vital we get it right.”