Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Jennifer Whitmore (SD), Wicklow

Wicklow parents pay the highest average weekly cost for childcare outside of Dublin at €235.90. It is an incredible amount for anyone to have to pay. In addition we have only 20 community centres out of 161. That is 12%. That can be compared with other counties like Leitrim and Monaghan, where more than 60% of their early learning providers are community centres. I understand that the Government is bringing in a pilot and that a number of community crèches will be established. I ask that Wicklow be very carefully considered as one of those counties. The need is there, as the Tánaiste will know. It is important that parents in Wicklow get support to access work.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19