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Childcare Crisis Persists Despite Party Pledges: Boyle's Struggle

Boyle's childcare crisis leaves families desperate. Qualified teachers like Ciara Bardon can't return to work due to lack of services. Will Budget 2026 address this critical issue?

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
There are children those who are sitting on the benches in the foreground area of the image and...
There are children those who are sitting on the benches in the foreground area of the image and other people, it seems like they are guiding children. There are chairs, door, window, table in the background area, there are balloons and text at the top side.

Childcare Crisis Persists Despite Party Pledges: Boyle's Struggle

Both main government parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, have pledged to cut childcare costs to €200 per month per child. However, the childcare crisis persists, with many parents struggling to access services. In Boyle, Co Roscommon, only 23% of children aged zero to four can access childcare, leading to calls for government intervention.

Ciara Bardon, a qualified primary school teacher, is among those affected. She has been unable to return to work due to the lack of childcare for her second son. Boyle has reached a critical point, with families desperate for more childcare services. The childcare committee in Boyle has urged the government to revisit the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme to address this issue.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have acknowledged the pressure on childcare places and the need for more spaces. Despite this, the 2026 budget does not specifically prioritize the expansion of childcare places or cost reduction. Many parents are wondering if accessibility to childcare will be addressed in Budget 2026. Ms Bardon believes there are many teachers in her situation who would like to return to work but cannot due to the lack of childcare.

Access to childcare remains a major issue in many parts of the country. While both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have promised to reduce childcare costs, the reality on the ground is that many parents, including qualified professionals like Ciara Bardon, are still unable to access the childcare they need. The government must prioritize the expansion of childcare places and cost reduction to address this critical issue.

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