The plight of one Kerry family who are paying more for childcare than their mortgage repayments has been highlighted in the Dáil.
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae has appealed to the government to take action to reduce the childcare costs crisis to allow two parents to continue working to be able to pay their bills.
“They need to be out of home to keep a home but they are having difficulties sourcing affordable places to place their children.
He said the childcare professionals are also encountering difficulties as, during the summer months, when children are home from school, they either have to find other work or sign on.
He said there is a case to be made for them to be paid all year round.
“We all remember the election campaign when we were calling to people’s doors, childcare was a constant issue. In many cases, both parents have to go out to work,” he said.
Deputy Healy-Rae remarked: “Childcare is very costly. It has to be because we are talking about people minding other people’s children”.
He added: “Families are in serious trouble trying to keep going. We must ensure there is a service in place for people who go out to work. This is not a luxury anymore. People must go to work to keep the door open and the roof over their heads”.
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