Fine Gael says it did not copy childcare policy idea from Greens
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Fine Gael has pushed back against assertions that it copied the Green Party, following its call for a publicly funded childcare system.
Taoiseach Simon Harris made the call on Wednesday, saying he wants childcare to form part of the overall education system.
“I think what we need to do is look at is what a roadmap over the course of the next government would look like, in terms of delivering a publicly funded, affordable early childhood education and childcare model,” Mr Harris said at the Fine Gael think-in in Tullamore.
He said a consultation process would be launched within the next week to engage with parents and existing childcare providers on the matter.
Asked if he had taken the policy idea from the Green Party, Mr Harris said he has been clear on wanting childcare to form part of the early education system since becoming Fine Gael leader.
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Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman made the callfor a publicly funded childcare system on Monday, saying the State needs to make a greater intervention in the area.
On the State delivering these services, Mr O’Gorman said this must be done in areas where there is a low supply alongside both private and community providers.
“I welcome the fact that that is the view of others too,” Mr Harris said, praising Mr O’Gorman for his work in Government.
“I’m also unapologetic in prioritising children and the best start for every child.
“When I meet people in my hometown of Greystones, who say ‘that’s great, you’ve reduced the cost of childcare, but I can’t get my child a place in childcare’, when I see new schools being built on public lands, why don’t we build a childcare facility beside that?”
In a speech to Fine Gael TDs, senators, and general election candidates, Mr Harris said he believes his “vision” of a childcare system that works for all parents could not be achieved by leaving it to the market.
“Frankly the stakes are far too high, and parents want certainty,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the issue of the scoping inquiry into abuse in schools which was published last week, Mr Harris said lessons must be learned from the past, when the Church was let off the hook.
Mr Harris said survivors have expressed concern that the past might repeat itself. As a country, in terms of similar issues, there are times "we have gotten it badly wrong", he said. "The focus of the Government now is to make sure it gets a structure right when taking the issue forward."
Mr Harris said the Government has levers at its disposal should the Church prove unwilling to pay its share, but encouraged the Church to "act in the values of Christianity".
"I expect people who speak Christianity to practise it in terms of how they respond to this," he said.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee did not rule out the possibility of bringing in class action measures for survivors to avoid them having to take individual civil actions. She said it is not clear whether these particular changes could take place or if they would be in a position to apply them to this particular case.
"It is important to work with the survivors and ensure that they know there is support and help available to them."
Both Mr Harris and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe would not be draw on any specific plans for the Apple tax windfall.
The Taoiseach said there would be a considered discussion among the three Coalition leaders but said he believes there are clear areas that would merit consideration around infrastructure, housing, and other areas where there are constraints.
Mr Donohoe called for a calm and careful evaluation of the options of what is the best long-term decision for the country's future.