Don’t leave Dublin behind – Richmond

A Fine Gael TD is calling on the Minister for Children to guarantee more services join the new funding model for childcare.

Dublin Rathdown Deputy, Neale Richmond, has warned that Dublin cannot be left behind as figures show take up in the capital is behind the national average.

“While 90% of providers have signed up to Together for Better across Ireland, this drops drastically when it comes to Dublin.

“In my own area of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown only 81% of childcare services have signed up for Together for Better; in Dublin City just 84% have signed up and in South Dublin, only 82%.

“This simply isn’t good enough.

“The Minister for Children cannot rest on his laurels when it comes to childcare. He must work harder to ensure more childcare services join the new funding model and he must work with providers and parents to address this clear geographic gap in take up.

“Together for Better is a really welcome new way to ensure childcare costs are brought down while childcare providers can still keep their doors open.

“However, this new funding scheme cannot be the end of the road when it comes to childcare.

“The fact that childcare represents a second mortgage for so many families is wrong and shows the need for greater change.

“Together for Better is a great start but this new childcare funding model can’t leave Dublin behind,” Deputy Richmond concluded.