Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-20
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William Aird (FG), Laois

The Taoiseach mentioned earlier all the money that has been spent on Blanchardstown. He might just keep me in mind for the courthouse in Portlaoise.
The programme for Government commits to reducing childcare costs by €200 per month per child. I understand work is planned in phase 2 of the affordability measures. Will the Taoiseach confirm these measures will include the long-term goal of delivering that €200 monthly cost reduction? I acknowledge the €135 million allocated for State-led childcare, the acquisition of buildings this year and the Building Blocks exchange scheme. However, capacity and affordability remains a crisis in my constituency of Laois. A parent who contacted me is paying over €1,500 per month for a single child. Another has been hit with an immediate €200 per child fee increase. For many people, the €200 commitment is a lifeline and I am asking that it be implemented without delay.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-20