FF will unveil new childcare policy at its party ard f heis
Party acting on feedback that issue is key to ‘swing voters’
FIANNA Fáil is to launch its policy on childcare at its ard fheis this week – the first detailed set of proposals from a major party in a policy area that is shaping up to be a key battleground in the next General Election.
In a document seen by the Irish Mail on Sunday, Fianna Fáil’s spokesman for children Robert Troy will propose an extensive package for parents including a ‘progressive childcare tax credit’, extended maternity leave and increased early education services for deprived children.
Fianna Fáil is also proposing to match the pledge from Tánaiste Joan Burton to grant a second year’s free pre-school education if she is re-elected in 2016.
Meanwhile, the MoS has learned Fine Gael is putting together proposals to introduce a direct grant to creches or Montessori schools to cover some childcare costs.
The proposals by the main parties reflect feedback from door-todoor canvassing. Party activists have reported that childcare costs are becoming an incendiary issue for middle and working class voters, particularly those most likely to be uncommitted ‘swing voters’.
Fianna Fáil’s proposed tax credit, which the document refers to as Childcare Support Credit, is likely to be a vote-winner as it is a direct benefit for parents.
The policy document states: ‘This measure is a tax credit to support hard-pressed working families to manage the costs of childcare.
‘The Childcare Support Credit will cover 20% to 40% of families’ childcare costs, depending on their income. Parents will be responsible for choosing the childcare arrangements and type of childcare provider that best suit their and their children’s needs.
‘While making childcare more affordable for working families, it is anticipated that the Childcare Support Credit will increase under- and unemployed parents’ participation in employment.’
Fianna Fáil also promises to extend maternity leave to 30 weeks, and to make it transferable between a father and mother.
In the wake of some of the highprofile scandals about standards at childcare facilities, Mr Troy is proposing that workers in the sector have better qualifications. ‘Fianna Fáil will provide high quality pre-school education for all by raising quality standards in early childhood care and education through increased investment in a graduate-led early childhood services,’ the document says.
The party is also proposing to ‘increase early education services to overcome the skills gap between the most deprived and the most advantaged children before they start school’.
They propose to do this by increasing the number of quality pre-school places for children from disadvantaged families and increasing support for effective Early Intervention Initiatives.
Mr Troy, TD for Longford/Westmeath, outlined his proposals in a document entitled Accessible, Flexible And Affordable Childcare In Ireland.
‘The current costs of childcare pose an unbearable burden on families,’ he writes. ‘ Across the EU, childcare costs around 12% of a family’s income on average, while in Ireland it accounts for 35%. Pre-school care for two children is not manageable for many working families.’
‘Tax credit to support hard-pressed families’