Childcare funding
Deputy Whitmore criticised the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for not setting aside extra money for early years and childcare. The Taoiseach replied that childcare had already been heavily supported through budgetary provision and existing schemes.
Today, the Government published the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. It is also Global Day for Parents. That is ironic because, despite the €915 million being allocated in the economic plan, there does not appear to be a single additional cent set aside for investment in early years and childcare. That is despite childcare being a fundamental foundation for the economy and for gender equality and despite our embarrassingly low investment in childcare. Will the Taoiseach explain why he did not use this opportunity to invest significantly and properly in our early years and childcare sector and in families across Ireland?
Comment on this
We have invested very heavily in childcare this year, and in early years, not just through budgetary provision but also through the extension of the variety of support schemes-----
Comment on this
There is no additional money in the budget for childcare.