Failure to act on childcare costs a 'betrayal of families' says Waterford TD
Waterford families are paying up to €275 a week for childcare. Stock Image
Families in Waterford are paying up to €275 per week for childcare.
That is according to the National Women's Council, which cited Pobal figures.
The NWC say recent fee increases under the Fee Increase Assessment process have wiped out many of the gains made by the increases to the National Childcare Scheme subsidies in recent budgets.
They said that while the Government has committed to developing an action plan on early childhood education and care, 100 days in, there is yet to be any progress.
Director of the NWC Orla O’Connor, said: “Our childcare system is broken.
"Every day without progress is another day of stress for families as they struggle to cover the cost of fees or secure childcare places for their children.
"The crisis is especially affecting women, including marginalised women such as lone parents, Traveller and Roma and migrant women, who cannot participate fully in society and are often forced to reduce their working hours or even leave the workforce entirely."
Together for Public held a demonstration outside Leinster House on Thursday.
Speaking during the demonstration, Waterford TD Conor McGuinness said the failure of the Government to act on childcare was a "betrayal of families."
“The Government promised reform, but their record speaks for itself.
There’s still no commitment to a public model of childcare — not in the Programme for Government and not in practice.
“Here in Waterford, parents are paying through the nose for basic childcare, while early years educators are expected to deliver vital public services on low wages and precarious contracts.
"It’s not sustainable — and it’s not fair."
