A new childcare proposal would pay stay-at-home moms out of a fund created to help get women back into the workforce. That's a culture-war distraction, not a real plan, writes @MaryEllenKlas (via @opinion)

Ireland’s Childcare Crisis A few facts: Between 2020 and 2025, more than €8 billion was allocated to the Department of Children. Most of this money went towards migrant hotels that operate at 50%+ profit margin. Companies linked to Séamus “Banty” McEnaney and his family have reportedly received more than €300million. Since 2016, Ireland’s last three Ministers for Children have not had children themselves. The Govt promised to reduce full-time childcare fees to approximately €200 per month. Delivering that commitment is estimated to require an additional €300 to €500 million per year. Ireland currently allocates approximately: €1.5 billion a year to childcare Which is half the amount, €3 billion, they allocate to asylum, refugee and Ukrainian-related accommodation and supports Normal people have no idea how badly our finances are being run.