A Galway East TD has expressed frustration at the lack of childcare supports for middle income families following Tuesday’s Budget.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children & Youth Affairs Anne Rabbitte wanted to see an increase in the universal subsidy rate, which she says continues to leave middle-income earners with a €1,040 per year grant.
Deputy Rabbitte said: “While I recognise that the income limits have been increased for the targeted level of subsidies, which will see more families accessing more substantial levels of payments, the income limits are still very low and exclude many ordinary families who are above the €60,000 net income limit.
“The reality is that a household with two working parents – a nurse and a Garda – will still be ineligible for the targeted level of subsidy.
“A recent survey of parents found that for two-thirds of them childcare bills are higher than their rent or mortgage costs. We are all too aware of the high rents that are being paid in urban areas, the fact that childcare costs are now outstripping rental expenses is a damning indictment of the government’s commitment to tackle the issue.”
