Minister for Justice and Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

The party has pledged to introduce a 200-euro monthly cap on the costs of childcare per child, with the overall bill for families with more than three children capped at 600 euro.

Fine Gael also vowed to create 30,000 public childcare places.

Its proposals also include a double Child Benefit payment in August each year, to help families with back to school costs.

The party has further promised to increase Child Benefit rates if re-elected, as well as examine the potential introduction of a means-tested second tier of Child Benefit.

The childcare policies outlined by Fine Gael on Wednesday also include an extension to paid family leave and the introduction of pay-related rates of Parents Benefit.

Outlining the measures at an event in Dublin, Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee said her party had a “determined focus” to lift children out of poverty.

“The first years of a child’s life have a profound impact on who they will become,” she said.

“Fine Gael believes that every child deserves the best start in life.”

Minister of state Neale Richmond, Fine Gael’s spokesman on childcare, said pay rates for childcare professionals was also key.

“Across the country, highly skilled childcare professionals are caring for our children every day,” he said.

“I have seen first-hand the training, the effort and the care they put into their work, and they deserve pay that reflects this."

“Fine Gael will continue to support pay increases for childcare staff, but we will also conduct a full review of wages to set fair and progressive wages for childcare educators in the public services."

“Fine Gael will cap childcare costs at 200 euro per month per child and 600 euro per month per family of more than three children, but we know that for many parents, accessing a childcare place remains a huge issue."

“This is why Fine Gael believes that it is time for the State to step up and become a full participant in childcare provision."

“We will create 30,000 new childcare places, with at least 100 of these public services being provided in the first two years of government.”

Mr Richmond said the party would extend the National Childcare Scheme to all childminders to ensure that parents who use their services can avail themselves of the 200-euro childcare cap.