A Kerry TD wants the government to back his party's proposed reform of the childcare sector.
Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly is speaking about a motion published earlier this week, which asks the government to enact reforms, including a reduction in weekly childcare fees by 66% over the life of the government.
Sinn Féin deputy Pa Daly says the cost of childcare has increased so much, it isn't affordable for ordinary families.
He says, in Kerry, the average family can spend up to €174 per week, while Ireland has some of the highest childcare costs in the EU.
Deputy Daly says that without affordable childcare, many parents - and mothers in particular - are being forced out of the workplace.
Deputy Daly has called on all Kerry TDs to support the Sinn Féin motion, compelling the government to enact these reforms.
The proposed reforms include reducing weekly costs by 13% over the next year, cut by 66% over the life of the government, and move towards a childcare model which is free at the point of use in the long term.
Deputy Pa Daly says these measures would require an initial investment of €500m, which would then be subject to review.
