THOUSANDS of Irish parents are set to benefit from budget boosts next year.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath announced the good news today.
Minister McGrath has said funding will be provided to support a reduction of up to 25 per cent in the weekly fee for those availing of the National Childcare Scheme, costing €121 million.
He said this will put up to €175 a month or €2,106 a year back in the pockets of parents next year.
Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman had fought for significant funding for the package in lengthy negotiations with Minister McGrath in recent days.
The Green Party Minister secured enormous funding for the measures which will see the cost of childcare in Ireland drop dramatically from January 2023.
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It’s understood that the funding will save parents an average of €1,200 per child per year in care costs.
This saving could rise up as far as €2,100 per child per year depending on how much the parents earn and how much assistance they qualify for under the National Childcare Scheme.
There will also be a double child benefit payment coming in November this year.
It will be worth a total of €140 per child.
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And in other news for parents, Minister McGrath also announced a free school books scheme for primary school today.
He says that the measure will benefit over 500,000 Irish pupils from next September.
There will be funding for 686 additional teachers for children with special educational needs.
1,194 extra SNAs and 370 new teaching posts will be funded.
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Meanwhile, every Irish household will get THREE energy credits worth €200 over a five-month period.
One will be handed out before Christmas while the other two instalments will be doled out next year, Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath has confirmed.