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Dublin Live
National
Aakanksha Surve

Parents could save hundreds of euros in creche fees as part of new proposal

Parents in Ireland could save hundreds of euros in creche fees under a new childcare subsidy.

Children's Minister Rodrick O'Gorman has announced a new proposal that will bring significant cuts to the cost of childcare as part of the budget in October.

Dublin parents are paying an eye-watering €1,200 a month in creche fees while the average cost around the country is around €800.

Read more: Protest on cost of living is ‘the first step to force Government action’

Elaine Loughlin, journalist for the Irish Examiner spoke to Claire Byrne on her RTE radio show about the issue

"It's a massive burden on parents right now and it’s one that the Government is eager to tackle in the budget," said Elaine.

"Parents are already given a subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme. And what Rodrick O’Gorman had said is that subsidy essentially has been eked away over the years.

"Creche fees went up so essentially the subsidy meant nothing because parents continuously saw the prices of childcare increase as the fees went up."

Last year additional core funding was announced by the Government on the basis that childcare providers froze the fees.

"So on top of this now, he hopes to add additional funding to that National Childcare Scheme. That would mean an effective decrease in fees and it is hoped that that decrease would be substantial.

"Hundreds of euro you’re talking a month if these proposals go through," the Irish Examiner's Deputy Political Editor told Claire Byrne.

She added that while there is still time between now and Budget Day, bringing down the childcare costs is a key priority for the Government.

The National Childcare Scheme has two different subsidies: the universal subsidy and a means-tested subsidy.

Ms Loughlin said the newest scheme that is being proposed could be a mix of both although the details are yet to be worked out.

Read more: Cheapest fuel prices in Dublin as petrol in Tallaght hits 220.7c per litre

Read more: Back to School Clothing Allowance worth up to €285 per child to open this month

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