SPENDING KEEPS IT IN
■ Weekly childcare fees to drop by 25% ■ €140 double child benefit in November
FAMILIES are set to benefit massively from yesterday’s Budget after the Government announced a spending bonanza to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Hard-pressed parents will see the price of childcare slashed, while those working in the industry will see pay hikes and better conditions.
Those availing of the National Childcare Scheme will see weekly fees drop by up to 25 per cent in a measure set to cost €121million.
Around 640,00 families will also receive a double child benefit payment in November, which is worth €140 per child on top of the normal monthly payment.
Fee
Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath told the Dail: “Childcare is a basic necessity for tens of thousands of families throughout Ireland.
“The cost of childcare for many of those families is too expensive and, at a time of rising household bills, the pressure this cost places on many families is considerable.
“Today, I am providing the funding to support a reduction of up to 25 per cent in the weekly fee for those availing of the National Childcare Scheme, costing €121million.
“This measure will put up to €175 a month or €2,106 a year back in the pockets of parents.”
He continued: “I am making a further allocation of €59million
to the recently-established Core Funding model, which will provide for extra hours and enhanced capacity in the sector.
“Under the new Employment Regulation Order, those working in the childcare sector will see improved pay and conditions to better reflect the importance of the work they undertake in providing quality care for our children.
“In 2023, the childcare Budget will reach €1billion – five years ahead of target.
“Alongside the measures announced last year, this finding will help to make childcare more affordable, improve the wages of staff and help ensure the sustainability for childcare providers.”
Books
In addition, Minister McGrath said the cost of books for all primary school children will be free from next September – and said this move will benefit more than 500,000 students.
He explained: “We know that buying school books can add further pressure to families at an expensive time of the year as children go back to school.
“Today, I am providing funding for free school books for all pupils in recognised primary schools within the Free Education Scheme from September next year.
“The Department of Education will work closely with schools and other stakeholders in the coming months on the implementation of this major reform.”
The Cork deputy also confirmed those in receipt of the Working Family Payment, a weekly tax-free handout available to employees with children, would be given a lump sum