Government must come clean on Childcare failures

The failure to deliver a functioning childcare system is now one of the defining failures of this government. Despite pre-election promises and repeated commitments, the government has failed to act. Over 100 days into the new administration, there has been no progress on developing the kind of early years system that children, families, and workers deserve.

The signs are clear. Waiting lists for childcare places are growing. Parents are being squeezed by soaring costs. Early years providers are under pressure, and staff remain underpaid and undervalued. Meanwhile, promises of reform have gone undelivered. This is not a system in transition - it’s a sector in crisis.

The government has talked up its plans for early childhood education, but the figures and facts tell a different story. There is still no clear plan, no time-bound roadmap, and no serious engagement with the sector or with those calling for a public childcare model. The reality is families are being left to struggle while Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil stall.

Instead of action, we are seeing delay and deflection. The long-promised consultation on early years has yet to begin. Terms of Reference haven’t even been published. And despite repeated assurances, there is no sign of the kind of sustained public investment needed to deliver real reform.

Making matters worse, existing supports remain fragmented and under-resourced. The current model continues to rely on market forces rather than public service principles. That means limited access for many parents, poor conditions for workers, and growing inequality in outcomes for children.

The solution is clear. We need a public childcare system, one that delivers on affordability, availability, and quality. One that respects early years professionals and gives every child a fair start. 

That’s what Sinn Féin’s motion in the Dáil calls for, backed by a coalition of 43 organisations and trade unions under the Together for Public campaign.

The Minister must now come clean. Why is there still no plan? Why has the government failed to publish the Terms of Reference for the consultation? And why has the political will to act vanished now that the election is over?

It is not credible for the government to claim that childcare is a key priority while failing to take even the most basic steps to fix the crisis.

Sinn Féin has a different vision, one that puts children first, supports families, and builds a public early year’s system on strong foundations. That vision stands in stark contrast to the delay, denial, and broken promises coming from this government.

What we need is urgency, leadership, and delivery. What we’ve gotten is excuses, inaction, and spin.

Sinn Féin will continue to demand real reform and fight for the childcare system that families, providers, and children deserve.

Sinn Féin’s Childcare Plan > > >