Tyrolean municipalities seek more state funding for childcare

Tyrolean cities and larger municipalities are disputing childcare costs with the provincial government, with the Association of Cities estimating 43 million euros in additional expenses, ORF reports. Innsbruck accounts for the largest share, while Telfs is also seeking more funding from the province.

The right to be placed in a childcare facility is a flagship project of the provincial government, but municipalities are responsible for putting it into practice. Telfs Mayor Christian Härting said the province should cover the costs if it passes the law. He said Telfs was seeking a greater share of the costs from the province.

Telfs estimates the additional expenses at more than six million euros, including the cost of extra placement work, more childcare places and infrastructure. A new kindergarten is being built in the Südtirolersiedlung residential development.

Education Councillor Cornelia Hagele of the ÖVP said she could not fully understand the claims of additional costs. Affordable childcare had been set out as a goal for 10 years, she said, and the wording of the law adopted in 2016 had not changed. It says every child should have access to full-day, year-round, widely available, high-quality and affordable childcare and early education. The new element is Frida, a platform where parents can register their childcare needs centrally.

Hagele also remains committed to standardising fees across Tyrol, with parents eventually paying 1.20 euros per hour for each child. The Association of Cities says that rate is unrealistic because municipalities would have to cover the remaining costs. Telfs’s mayor said fees should be higher for nurseries, which cost more to run.

Costs also vary between municipalities. Childcare for children aged three to six is free in Schwaz. To meet the province’s fee requirement, the municipality would have to start charging for it.