Childcare on agenda at FG conference
Fine Gael is to launch a major childcare policy document at its national conference in Co Cork on Saturday.
More than 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the biennial event, which will end with a keynote address by leader Enda Kenny.
The Government is expected to announce a substantial childcare package in next month’s Budget and Fine Gael believes it will be a key issue in the forthcoming General Election campaign.
Social and Family Affairs spokesman David Stanton will unveil the party’s fully costed policy document in the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet on Saturday afternoon.
Last month, Labour published its Putting Children First document, which proposed extra weekly €50 subsidies for pre-school children and a further €25 per week for primary pupils.
The theme of this weekend’s conference, which is the first since the party’s successes in the local and European elections and the Meath by-election, is New Team, New Ideas.
“We hope to give national profile to the new front-bench team, who have been working very hard behind the scenes, and how they will do things differently compared to the Government,” a party source said today.
“The conference also comes at a critical point in the party’s five-year rehabilitation plan and in the cycle between the last general election and the next one.
“There is a very good mood in the camp and we’re confident facing into the final stages of this Government’s lifetime.”
The geographical location of the conference is also seen as a strategic decision to raise the party profile within Co Cork as well as neighbouring counties of Kerry and Limerick.
Six key conference sessions will focus on agriculture, healthcare, consumers, childcare, crime and alternative energy.
Guest speakers include Dermott Jewell, chief executive of the Consumer Association of Ireland, and Small Firms Association chief Pat Delaney.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Catherine Byrne and Irish Wind Energy Association chairman Tim Cowhig will also be present.
The last Fine Gael conference was held in Galway in November 2003.
