Yesterday, we reported on the Government’s new childcare package which was announced as part of Budget 2017 by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan.
It will mean that parents working full time will be eligible for a subsidy of up to €80 per month, depending on your income.
The highest levels of subsidy will be provided to those on the lowest incomes, around €8,000 a year. Families with a household income of up to €47,500 euro NET income are also entitled to the subsidy. Some subsidies will also be available for children up to 15 years of age, but this will be means tested.
Naturally, HerFamily.ie readers had a LOT to say on the issue. Many were upset that more wasn’t done to help struggling families when the cabinet was debating the issue ahead of the budget, others felt it was a small, first step in the right direction.
Here are some of the key opinions YOU felt so strongly about that you decided to put fingers to the keyboard:
This is money that will go to already overpriced childcare facilities. It is very unfair to those who choose alternative childcare options and pay often up to the same level of payment as they would to a facility. Childcare facilities don’t suit all working parent situations e.g., shifts. It should be given to all or none. This is typical of our Government discriminating against certain categories of hard working people. Selena Conway
Depending on the care your child is in, 99 per cent plus childminders are not (registered) and neither are nannies…..great to have info for families of crèche and playschool going kiddies….mind you, a combined income of 47k isn’t a whole lot (in reality). They really need to widen the scope. Paula English
This budget does nothing to help the middle-income earners, which is what I expected! If you do need to use a creche AND have your family look after your child for even ONE day a week to help out then that’s it, you’re not entitled to anything! Clare Doherty
This plan is a joke. It won’t help anyone. People who earn very little or stay at home, don’t put their babies to creches so won’t use the so-called benefits. And those of us who do, earn too much according to this Government.  We are asking and asking for tax reliefs on childcare and yet no one is listening.  Natalia War
The cost of childcare, at a creche full time, for two children, with one under three, and one over is around €15,000 – €18,000 per year, so €900 per year is not going to be of any real assistance. It also doesn’t cover those who use childminders either or pay family members. It’s embarrassing to call it a “scheme” to be honest. Mairead Burke
If I was to put my child in a creche in my area it would cost €60 a day. That’s €300 a week, which is about €30 less than what I was earning in my full-time minimum wage job before having her.  Thanks, but I still can’t afford to return to work with your €20 a week. That doesn’t even cover a full day a fortnight. Kehree Marie Delaney-Malone
If your families net income is less than €47,500 a year then there is no way you are putting your kids in creche for 40 hours a week. I can’t afford to put my kids in for 40 hours a week and our net income is more than that. But we have a mortgage to pay, bills to pay, food to put on the table, pay for petrol, tax, insurance for two cars to get to those full-time jobs. The Government won’t have to pay out a penny on this as not one family could possibly fall into those limits. A Joke. Jen Fagan
It is going to be of no benefit to me come next September. My child will be getting minded by a childminder then for the first time in his life (luckily has grandparents until then), so I will have childcare fees to pay. But he will be over 3yrs, not in a creche AND will not be minded over 40hrs a week. This scheme will help very few people. Yes, my son will have the Ecce scheme but that’s only 3 hrs a day, and when he will be minded from 7 am until 5.30pm that’s not a huge amount of help. It’s a start but not good enough. Deirdre Bolster
Do you agree that the Government has NOT listened to what people really need? We would love to hear your feedback!Â
