Next generation must be given every support – O’ Súilleabháin

Responding to an Irish Independent survey which showed that it is costing some families €1,100 per month to have a child looked after while they work, Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said that Ireland should follow the lead of other countries and subsidise childcare more. The North Wexford Sinn Féin rep has called on the government to extend the current ECCE scheme to two years and tear up any plans it has for the means testing of the children’s allowance.

Mr O’ Súilleabháin said;

“The shocking statistics from the Irish Independents recent survey show that it is costing some families more for childcare than it is to cover mortgage repayments. The cost of childcare can rise to as much as €2,000 per month for two children, regardless of whether they use a creche or a childminder. The high cost of childcare is forcing some parents to quit their careers.”

“The current government has stressed the importance of building a smart economy for our state. To make this sustainable the next generation must be given every support. The government’s plans to means test children’s allowance at the behest of the IMF will not do this. It is a regressive move that will impact most detrimentally upon the working families who are struggling with childcare costs.”

“In 2011/2012, 66,000 children participated in the ECCE scheme, which allowed for 15 hours of free education per week over 38 weeks for children in the year before entering primary school. According to recent data from Early Childhood Ireland, extending the ECCE scheme for a second year would cost an additional €157m and the longitudinal rate of return will be in the order of 17:1 (as per the High/Scope Perry Preschool Program for every dollar invested seventeen dollars were saved). This effectively means that the €157m invested for the 66,000 children participating in the scheme in this year alone will return savings of €2,669m over the coming 35 years.”

“Fine Gael and Labour need to extend the current ECCE scheme to two years and tear up any plans it has for the means testing of the children’s allowance. The extension of the ECCE scheme will move our state a step closer to universal pre-school for 3-5 year olds, which would be an extremely positive step for a country which means to establish a thriving smart economy in the years ahead.”