Childminders will soon be able to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme, the Minister for Children has promised.

The NCS was set up to subsidise the cost of childcare - but currently only childminders who are registered with Tusla can benefit from the scheme.

Roderic O’Gorman the Government is working on a registration system that will allow more parents to access the scheme.

“It’ll be specific for childminders; we have to recognise that their settings - usually in their family homes - are very different from a creche or a Montessori,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“So, we’re designing specific regulations recognising that difference and support childminders to register and therefore the parents who use their services will be able to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme.”

A childminder playing with children in her home. Picture by: Hager fotografie / Alamy Stock Photo

Last year’s budget increased subsidies to the childcare sector and costs fell by 25%.

When asked how much he would like to see costs cut this year, Minister O’Gorman declined to name a figure.

“I’ll be pushing for as significant cuts for parents as I can get but the difference this year is that we’re looking to spread out the benefits,” he said.

“Particularly, in terms of looking to include parents who use childminders; they weren’t able to benefit from the cuts last year.

“I’d like them to be able to experience as well because childminders offer a degree of flexibility to many parents.”

Tax or spending?

Today’s Summer Economic Statement is due to outline how much money Ministers can expect to receive in this autumn’s budget.

Backbench Fine Gael TDs have called for income tax to be cut by €1,000 for the average worker - a policy intervention Tánaiste Micheál Martin labelled “not helpful”.

When asked whether the Green Party would prefer tax cuts or public spending increases, Minister O’Gorman said there would be a “range of measures” in the budget.

“Some changes on the tax side is part of that - that was agreed within our Programme For Government, particularly in the area of indexation,” he said.

“I think one of the really positive things about the last three budgets that this Government has brought forward is that they’ve been progressive.

“That the people who, I suppose, need the most, have been supported the most by these budgets and I think that’s really positive.”

Budget 2024 is expected to record a €10 billion surplus - most of which will be placed into a new State Wealth Fund.

Main image: Children being fed by a childminder. Picture by: Alamy.com