Childcare in Ireland

Childcare in Ireland

Moving to Ireland	Index Removals Regulations Citizenship PPS Number Work Permits Green Card Euro Exchange Living in Ireland Census Data Shopping Online	Childcare in Ireland is a political priority right now. With the high employment and the increase in families with both parents working - there is a currently a shortage of proper childcare facilities in Ireland. Irish childminders do not have to be formally registered or inspected by anyone at the moment unless they care for 4 or more children . Nurseries or creches are overbooked in many areas and thay can charge high fees because of the demand. Fees average €600 euro a month for full time care - but can be as high as €1000 euro a month. Over 73,000 families, or 42.5% of all families in Ireland with pre-school children,regularly rely on non-parental childcare arrangements for minding their children during normal working hours. In 2006 a "childcare allowance" was awarded for every child under 6 - of €1000 euro a year. This is payable to the Child Benefit claimant of every child under 6 - regardless of childcare arrangements. It probably won't make much of a dent in some families childcare costs - but it's a help. Even parents whose children live outside Ireland can claim this allowance. It would be great if both parents didn't have work. It is something that is on the increase and seems to be encouraged by governent and society in general . The idea of being a full time housewife or househusband is sometimes treated as being odd these days. Everyone seems to want to get out there and earn as much as they can - while paying strangers to care for their children during their formative years just so they can pay the mortgage on an overpriced house or the loan on the second or third car. Maybe government should aim more tax relief towards those parents who choose stay at home to mind the children themselves. There is a tax credit calld Homemakers Credit which is worth about €700 euro a year - not exactly a large amount! Tax relief on childcare is being proposed - but only if the carer is registered. Apart from childminders there are many community run Playgroups in towns and villages - that are "not for profit" and run by volunteers with financial aid from grants etc. These can cost as little as €30 for 15 hours a week - which isn't bad. But usually these are not aimed at caring for children of full time working parents - they are more geared towards beginning to educate the child and getting them used to playing and mixing with other children.
Irish Property	Buying a House Mortgage Rates Rentals Conveyancing Self Building Home Insurance Buy-to-let Realty Tax Relief MyHome Town Guide

Work in Ireland	Working in Ireland Job Vacancies Green Cards Safe Pass Work from Home Franchises Earn Online Income Tax Childcare More Jobs
Finances	Mortgages Money Guide Mortgage Brokers Bank Account Mortgage Relief Savings Rates SSIA Credit Cards 3v Vouchers Fuel Prices Loans Life Insurance Pensions Injury Claims
Shopping	Amazon.ie Tesco Ireland PS3 Flowers Nintendo DS Wii LCD TVs Bikes Kids Clothes Window Blinds Dysons Heelys Lingerie Ladies Clothes Ipods Printer Ink Xbox 360
Travel Ireland	Minibus Hire Maps of Ireland Flights to Ireland Dublin Car Hire Shannon Car Hire Cork Car Hire Ferries to Ireland Travel Tips Galway Hotels Galway Car Hire Golf Ireland Accommodation Kerry Self Catering Cork Self Catering Flights From Ireland Knock Airport Car Hire

ICT	Internet Providers Broadband in Ireland Satellite Broadband Sky TV Ireland Onspeed Web Hosting Domain Reg
Health	Health Insurance Doctors Dentists Contact Lenses Opticians Stop Smoking Irish Funerals Laser Eye Surgery
Education	Primary Schools Secondary Schools Irish Universities Private Schools Boarding Schools
Cars	Car Buying Car Tax Knock Car Hire Importing Cars VRT Car Insurance Breakdown NCT Test
Legal	Dog Licence Divorce TV Licence
Phones	Mobile Phones Landlines Irish Ringtones
Useful Sites	Soldiers Song Fields of Athenry Patrick Kavanagh Irish in UK Irish Crafts Irish Poker Lisnagroob UK Car Hire Irish Books Irish Music DVD Rental Ipod Touch Buy Online Online Shops


© 2002-2005