Crisis in childcare for Kildare North families not being addressed says Sallins based councillor, James Lawless

Sallins based councillor, James Lawless has criticised the Government's failure to tackle the problem of affordable but efficient childcare facilities to families across the country, but especially to residents in Kildare North. In hosting a meeting last week at the Westgrove Hotel, Cllr Lawless openly discussed the costs and lack of available places for families in Kildare North. “As a mortgage payer with a young family, I have experienced first-hand the difficulties in trying to earn a living while paying childminding fees. I understand the difficulties in juggling work, commuting whilst paying for child-care and a mortgage. I believe as legislators it is crucial we provide affordable yet efficient and secure child care facilities locally for families in Co Kildare. I have met many families in various situations and a common challenge is finding a childcare service which works for them”. Only 2 community preschools available “There are only two community care preschools available near the Clane/Kilcock/Sallins areas, both of which are full. There is a serious need to reduce the cost of childcare, which in many cases can be over €20,000 per annum if you have two children - solutions are badly needed and soon!"continued Cllr Lawless. Deputy Robert Troy outlined Fianna Fáils planned tax breaks for child [caption id="attachment_47582" align="alignnone" width="300"] Cllr Paul Ward, Deputy Robert Troy and Cllr James Lawless at a recent information night on Childcare at the Westgrove Hotel, Clane.[/caption] care fees, stating the party would seek to bring in the Progressive Childcare Support Credit. Under this scheme a parent earning €35,000 will receive roughly €2000 per annum subsidy support towards their childcare costs while a parent earning €45,000 will receive €1,500. Cllr Lawless concluded “In Ireland, we have substantially under-invested in childcare and education in recent years, with the result being crippling childcare costs for families. This failure to invest sufficiently in early childcare and education short changes children, families and the tax-payers because the return on investment is greater than almost all other economic development options”.