{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6155db9059a3fa00137f30a9/66e4625ec09a244b8c0eee81?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Childcare is now a battleground issue ahead of general election","description":"<p>This week’s host Pat Leahy is joined by Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones to look back on the week in politics:</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fallout from Apple’s tax case continues with what to with decision on what to do with the €13bn plus interest expected within three weeks. The windfall won’t be available to the State until next March, but some sources in Government are saying there is already a consensus among Coalition parties that pressing infrastructure requirements and housing are at the top of the shopping list.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking at Fine Gael’s think-in in Tullamore Taoiseach Simon Harris backed a public childcare model, moving away from a reliance on private sector care. But would this potential restructuring result in a raft of new State employees?<strong> </strong>Sinn Féin stopped short of a public childcare model, instead pledging to reduce the financial burden on parents with the introduction of €10-a-day childcare from 2025 if it is in power after general election.</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald reflected this week on a trauma-filled year for her and her family, a year in which she and her husband Martin Lanigan dealt with serious issues.</p><p><br></p><p>Plus, the panellists pick their favourite IT reads of the week:</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Corinna Hardgrave pulled no punches with her one-star review of a new eatery in Donnybrook.</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ken Early on the gulf in class as Ireland were dismissed by England in a one-sided game at the Aviva stadium last Saturday.</p><p><br></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Harry McGee picked his own article looking at the farcical infighting at the National Party.</p>","author_name":"The Irish Times"}