Industry boss expresses concern over ‘populist’ proposals in government deal

Care providers have warned that neither parents or children will benefit if a childcare tax credit forms part of a deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the formation of a government.

Care providers have warned that neither parents or children will benefit if a childcare tax credit forms part of a deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the formation of a government.

Teresa Heeney, chief executive of Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), a representative body for the childcare sector, said she was concerned about reports that any arrangement between the parties would include a possible tax credit for parents of preschool children.

She said the Fianna Fáil-backed proposals reportedly under consideration would be populist but inequitable and would not address serious issues affecting childcare providers.

Ms Heeney stressed that international evidence as well as blueprints prepared for the outgoing administration suggested tax credits given to parents of preschool children “simply do not work”.

Read the full article on The Irish Times Website by Conor Pope