TDs want to see tax breaks for parents who employ childminders at home

In recent months, the government has introduced an €80 allowance for parents of children-under-three who use professional childcare services such as crechès.

However, now two Fine Gael TDs and mums are proposing tax breaks for those who use childminders in their own homes. In short, they want to see parents properly recognised as an "employer" - with tax credits for the employment they provide given at the end of the year. The suggestion has been made by Dun Laoghaire TD and mother-of-two Maria Bailey and Dublin Bay South TD and mother-of-three Kate O’Connell. In particular, Ms O’Connell highlighted - and as reported by thejournal.ie - that most people don’t work 9 to 5 anymore and that not everyone has the option of a crèche. Ms Bailey also said giving a tax credit to mums and dads supported more flexible and affordable childcare options. "It’s about giving middle-income earners a break and also helping parents get back to work," she told thejournal.ie. If approved, it's hoped the scheme would be implemented in Budget 2019. Leo Varadkar has already said he is examining options to increase childcare subsidies later this year. In 2017, Minister For Children And Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone launched an informative website that covers all aspects of the More Affordable Childcare scheme