Tánaiste Joan Burton denies trying to ‘buy’ support with childcare cost cuts

Tánaiste Joan Burton has denied opposition claims she is trying to buy back the support of “families you have failed” after new post-election plans to cut the cost of childcare for struggling parents were revealed.

The Labour leader was forced to defend the plans and her party’s record since it entered Government during a fractious Dáil debate in which she was accused of “breaking every single promise you’ve made”.

Leaked details yesterday stated that, if it is re-elected to power, Labour plans to introduce a new scheme to cut the cost of childcare for families by more than 50%, to just €2 an hour.

The plan, which is expected to be included in the party’s general election manifesto, is based on a new state-subsidised scheme which would see childcare services given 50c more from the State per hour per child supported — if they did not increase the cost of the service above €4.25 per hour.

Read the full article in the Irish Examiner here

By Fiachra Ó Cionnaith
Irish Examiner Political Reporter

By Juno McEnroe
Political Correspondent