‘Suspend childcare subvention scheme’ — SF

SINN FÉIN has called on the Irish Government to suspend the introduction of the controversial Community Childcare Subvention Scheme pending an urgent review in full consultation with the community and voluntary childcare sector. The scheme could see the introduction of a two-tier system in childcare, Sinn Féin said.
Offering support to the community groups campaigning to protect family services by challenging the subvention scheme, Sinn Féin TD and Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said:
“The scheme as it is currently formulated is ill-conceived and has the potential to create a two-tier childcare system. Mirroring the inequitable nature of the country’s current health system, there is one tier for children of parents on social welfare and a second tier for all others.”
Ó Caoláin said that the consequences of the scheme, as it stands, include steep rises in childcare costs for many families and the potential closure of many community childcare facilities.
“The threat by Minister of State for Children Brendan Smith to withdraw financial support to community childcare facilities that do not complete the complex application procedures by 2 November has only served to deepen the distress caused by the impending introduction of the scheme as it is.”