'Transformational' - Taoiseach vows to deliver 'public childcare model' if re-elected

Taoiseach Simon Harris says introducing a 'public childcare model' will be one of  his key priorities if Fine Gael returns to government following the next General Election.

The party's 'think-in' is continuing in Tullamore, County Offaly this Thursday and Mr Harris made his comments during an interview on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

On the programme, he discussed the childcare plan and how he aims to deliver this model by 2030, providing, of course, that they remain in government.

"Let's talk about childcare and your plan for a public childcare system. Is it a vague election plan? I mean, if a baby's being born today, how soon would it benefit from your public child care plan?," he was asked.

In reply, Mr Harris said: "So firstly, babies being born today are already benefiting from what we're doing. We live in a country now where every child gets two free pre school years.

"And we also have very significantly reduced childcare costs. And I must say, Roderic O'Gorman has done great work on this, and I'm proud of the work he's done on this. The purpose of thinking, though, is always to come up with what next?"

"And I got involved in politics to talk about big ideas. And I really want to have a big conversation with the people of this country kicking off tomorrow about how we can deliver a public childcare model. I believe this can be transformational. We did it with primary education. We did it with secondary education."

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In the wide-ranging interview, the Fine Leader added: "We need big ideas when it comes to our children. What I'm giving a commitment to is that this will be a priority in the Fine Gael Manifesto, be fully costed in the Fine Gael Manifesto, and if Fine Gael is in the next government, within the first 100 days we will publish a road map as to how you deliver this system in full by 2030."