Children’s Minister, Roderic O’Gorman, has suggested that an additional boost could be on the way for parents in Ireland following Tuesday’s budget announcement.
It was confirmed that childcare costs would be dropped by 25% as part of a list of measures targeting the rising cost of living here.
However, this reduction in price is aimed at those who opt to place their children in a crèche and does not currently include a decrease in rates for childminders.
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Mr. O'Gorman has said he hopes to include childminders in the National Childcare Scheme from next year - meaning more families could avail of the reduction.
During Tuesday's Budget speech, Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath said it would "put up to €175 a month, or €2,106 a year" back in parents' pockets.
Today, Minister O'Gorman told Newstalk Breakfast he hopes to expand eligibility next year: "Core funding, which we introduced, kicked in early this year.
"That has already delivered additional capacity, we're seeing an increase of about 15% in the number of childcare places that are available - and particularly for children who are under three.
"Right now childminders, by and large, aren't able to avail of the NCS because they're not regulated - they're not registered with Tusla.
"We're putting in a scheme - the Childminding Action Plan - to create a simplified system whereby childminders can register.
"They don't have to go through all the process that a crèche would have to go through.
"But once they're able to register, they'll be able to benefit from the NCS.
"And I would hope that next year, we'll be able to look to include childminders in the NCS.
"So parents who use them, they can also benefit from the efforts the Government is making to cut the cost of childcare for parents".
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