The government\u2019s delayed childcare plan must contain a clear timeline for reducing monthly fees to \u20ac200 and begin the process of establishing a public early years model, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.<\/p>\n
Deputy Farrelly, who is the party\u2019s children\u2019s spokesperson, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cPrior to last year\u2019s general election, Simon Harris promised to publish a roadmap for reducing childcare costs to \u20ac200 per month within the first 100 days of Fine Gael in government. This commitment is now six months behind schedule, with the Early Years Action Plan not due to be published until tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis plan, while belated, will hopefully provide some respite for hard-pressed parents who are struggling under the financial weight of childcare costs. The first phase of the plan is expected to include increases to the income limit for the National Childcare Scheme from next September, which is a welcome step in the right direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, a piecemeal approach will be of little benefit to parents who deserve to know when their childcare costs will be capped at \u20ac200 per month, as promised. We need to see clear timelines set out in the plan for when \u2013 and how \u2013 this will be achieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, this plan should kickstart the process of establishing a public model of childcare, which is key to resolving the many problems facing the early years sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to reforming our broken childcare system, the Social Democrats want to see the three Cs \u2013 cost, capacity and conditions for workers \u2013 properly addressed. It remains to be seen if there will be enough detail in the government\u2019s plan to deliver in these areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
December 16, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The government\u2019s delayed childcare plan must contain a clear timeline for reducing monthly fees to \u20ac200 and begin the process of establishing a public early years model, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Deputy Farrelly, who is the party\u2019s children\u2019s spokesperson, said: \u201cPrior to last year\u2019s general election, Simon Harris promised to publish a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11557,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[396,296,540,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14797","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aidan-farrelly","category-childcare","category-children","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n