Subsidised Childcare Debate Causes Cabinet Rift

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone was allegedly left out of Budget talks where alternatives to her plan for a subsidised childcare scheme for Irish families were discussed. According to the Irish Times, the Minister was left in the dark while her proposal, which would initially see families earning a combined €47,000 per year or less receive a subsidy of €2,000 towards childcare services for children aged between nine months and three years, was dissected in Government late last week. Critics have slammed the proposed €20m plan for ignoring Ireland's 'squeezed middle', but Minister Zappone intends to persevere, raising income thresholds annually. CEO of the National Childhood Network, Denise McCormilla, approves of the proposals. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast she said:

"It's something that we and many others have been calling for for quite some time," "There needs to be an increase in funding, it needs to go directly to services, and in that way we can support the sector."

Meanwhile Early Childhood Ireland’s policy and communications director, Donal Geohegan, told the Irish Examiner he felt the scheme must be “targeted as widely as possible”. “We think that €70,000 gross joint income is much more like it,” he told the newspaper. Do you support Katherine Zappone's proposal for subsidised childcare? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.