SF plans maximum childcare cost fees of €180 a week if elected

Sinn Féin intends to set maximum fees for childcare costs of €180 a week if elected to government.

The party will announce its policy on childcare today and will commit to extending maternity leave by six weeks and introducing parental leave of 12 months.

It will commit to dedicated incremental funding increases over the lifetime of a government.

The most significant proposal is an attempt to control childcare costs which are the most expensive in the European Union. The party would set maximum fees for childcare costs of €180 a week and would incrementally reduce that to €150 a week. This would be paid for by increased capitation payments from the State.

Second highest

The document says Ireland’s childcare costs are the second highest in the world, behind only those in the US. It claims childcare costs in Ireland range between €800 and €1,100 a month for a full-time place, dependent on location.

The party’s proposals, which will be set out by deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald, will commit to the extension of maternity benefit by six weeks at a cost of €63 million a year. The benefit will be extended to 52 weeks and allow for the time after 26 weeks to be split between parents.

The party will also make a commitment to increase the rate of maternity benefit over a longer term in government.

Tax credits

The document claims a childcare system that uses tax credits does not work. It proposes direct subsidies insisting that will give the State greater “steering control” over quality.

The party would remove the burden of commercial rates from all childcare centres. They would recognise all childcare facilities as educational establishments which would ensure they are exempt from paying rates.

For those who work in the sector, the party would initiate a review of the salaries involved and would move to introduce scales from 2017 onwards. It also proposes the introduction of rights and standards for childcare workers.

The party would increase capitation grants for the free pre-school year by €5 a week to €67.50, and by €9.50 for the higher capitation rate to €82.50. The total cost in one year would be €20 million, the party says.