The Taoiseach should clarify if he spoke with Roderic O’Gorman before he made his comments or if his latest budget kite-flying is another Fine Gael solo run
The Taoiseach must clarify if the government is resiling from its commitment to cut childcare fees by 50% over two years, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
“Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman has repeatedly promised that parents can expect to see an average reduction of 50% to their childcare fees after next budget. The Minster has made this commitment his Department’s central pledge.
“Minister O’Gorman is not the only one in government who has made this commitment. Nearly every senior minster, including the Taoiseach, has cited a significant reduction in childcare costs as being a key policy objective.
“However, in an interview published today, the Taoiseach appeared to resile from that firm commitment. He said he was “not sure” that a 50% reduction in fees could be achieved after the budget.
“This appears to be an attempt by the Taoiseach to prepare the ground for a u-turn on this commitment – and leave parents in the invidious position of paying a second mortgage every month when it comes to childcare costs.
“The Taoiseach should clarify if he spoke with Minister O’Gorman before he made his comments or if his latest budget kite-flying is another Fine Gael solo run. He should also clarify if the government has now abandoned their commitment to cut childcare fees.
“Enormous childcare costs are not just putting immense pressure on household budgets, they are also one of the primary barriers to women returning to work. The government must not abandon these parents – and their commitments to tackling these huge costs.”