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Senator Higgins criticised the guillotining of the LNG Bill, arguing it should not be rushed and should receive proper scrutiny. She then raised childcare, citing an early years affordability roadmap from SIPTU and the need for quality jobs and better services.
The change would exempt certain early childhood education premises from business rates, including not-for-profit providers, some providers that receive Core Funding and cap fees at ECCE rates, and after-school, sessional and part-time care run from those premises. It would also exempt childminding services run from a childminder’s own home, including mixed-use homes where part of the building is lived in and part is used for childminding. This matters because it lowers costs for childcare providers and home-based childminders, which could help support access and affordability.