Sinn Fein say 10 per day childcare plan could be in place by next year if party was in government

Mary Lou McDonald stated, 'Investing to build a modern, responsive, fit for purpose childcare system is one of the smartest investments any government could ever make.' This emphasizes the importance of a functional childcare system in supporting families and the workforce.

The plan encompasses a cap on daily childcare costs to €10 per child, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on parents who compare these costs to a second mortgage, with some paying hundreds in creche fees.

Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty highlighted the feasibility of their proposals by noting, 'You will see in any budget that there's a budgetary package well in excess of this, of billions,' thereby asserting that significant surpluses could fund these initiatives.

The proposed pay increase for early years educators, increasing the minimum wage from €13.65 to €15.15 an hour, is part of a broader strategy to enhance the capacity and quality of early childhood education.

Read at Irish Independent