The government has previously committed to progressively reduce the cost of early learning and childcare to €200 per month per child
The government have previously pledged to progressively reduce the cost of early learning and childcare to €200 per month per child during the lifetime of the government – stock photo
A monthly cap of €200 on childcare fees could be edging closer as part of the upcoming budget.
The government has previously pledged to gradually reduce the cost of early learning and childcare to €200 per month per child.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has now confirmed that childcare costs are firmly on the agenda for Budget 2027.
Minister Chambers has indicated that the budget will encompass a range of measures aimed at tackling cost-of-living pressures for “low middle-income” earners.
Childcare expenses and cost-of-living concerns remain key priorities for the government, he stated, reports RSVP Live.
Minister Jack Chambers renewed a Government pledge to deliver a childcare cost cap of €200 a month(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
There are proposals to introduce a childcare cost cap of €200 a month in Budget 2027.
“We will prioritise and make a move on affordability of childcare,” he told Claire Byrne on Newstalk. “It’s a real priority for the Government, real priority for Minister Foley.
“It’s something that I think gives a hard-working family something back in a budgetary context. That’s tangible.
“I think we will have the space in 2027 to make a move on childcare that people will see the difference on Budget Day.
“And we’ll be able to detail the cash difference on Budget Day when we agree the actual settlement.”
This comes as it has been confirmed that childcare costs will be capped at €734 a month per child from September. Children’s Minister Norma Foley revealed this summer that, as part of the Government’s pledge to lower childcare expenses, from September, a full-day placement of 45 hours per week will be reduced from €198 per week to €183.70.
Budget 2027 will give money ‘back’ to Irish workers and families, it has been claimed(Image: Getty Images)
However, parents using more than 50 hours per week will face higher costs than the €183.70 rate, as only 45 hours are covered under Government schemes.
Despite this, some have criticised the fee reduction, highlighting that certain families are still being quoted as much as €1,400 a month for a crèche place in Dublin, the Irish Mirror reports.
Minister Foley acknowledged this may be the case, but insisted that once the National Childcare Subsidy Scheme is factored in, families would be paying considerably less.
She said: “I would be confident that parents are getting full access to the National Childcare Subsidy Scheme.”
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