Government breaks childcare promises in Budget 2026
Green Party Spokesperson on Children Cllr. Lourda Scott has criticised the Government for breaking its childcare promises in Budget 2026, saying that families have once again been left to struggle.
“The Government has reneged on its promises about childcare in the 2026 Budget,” said Cllr Scott. “Before the election, families were told by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that there would be a real move towards making childcare affordable and accessible. Simon Harris even pledged that there would be 100 state run childcare facilities by 2026. Instead, what we have is a patchwork of measures that will barely make a difference to a national crisis.”
Cllr Scott said that while the additional €125 million for Early Years may sound like progress, it falls far short of what is needed.
“The increase does not match the ambition of providing widespread State-funded childcare or meeting the €200 per month cap that had been widely promoted,” she said.
“Over 40,000 children are currently on childcare waiting lists, yet the Government’s plan creates just 2,300 new places. That is nowhere near enough to meet demand. When in Government, the Green Party, through Minister Roderic O’Gorman, set out an ambitious path for reforming childcare in Ireland. This budget was a chance to build on that progress and deliver real structural change. Instead, we are being offered a sticking plaster for a broken system,” Cllr Scott said.
“Make no mistake, this budget is a lost opportunity to deliver meaningful change for parents and for those working in the Early Years sector. The Government has abandoned any pretence at taking childcare seriously and returned to business as usual,” she continued.
“Children deserve a system that works for them, not one that continues to rely on market forces and short-term funding.”
“Working families deserve better than this. If the Government is serious about supporting them, it must treat childcare as the essential public service it is, not as a political afterthought,” said Cllr Scott.
