Minister to launch new Donegal County Childcare project
‘Vital to assess full cost of childcare here’
The Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, is set to launch a Donegal County Childcare research proposal, ‘Supporting Working Families – Releasing a brake on economic growth’, in Dublin today, Wednesday, December 4.
The research has been undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants for Donegal County Childcare and concerns the provision and affordability of childcare in Ireland. The report will put forward key policy initiatives, which could be undertaken to reduce barriers to employment arising from the cost of childcare for a targeted group of families.
Avril McMonagle, County Childcare Manager, who is responsible for bringing the initiative forward, said it is vital to assess the full cost of childcare here.
“In recent years the cost of childcare in Ireland has warranted considerable media attention, however, solutions to the problem have not come to the fore,” she said.
“Donegal County Childcare has commissioned this research as an independent examination of whether the cost of childcare represents a barrier to labour force participation. The proposal offers an examination of policy options to address childcare obstacles which may exist to employment,” she added.
