Childcare in Ireland

Childcare in Ireland

Moving to Ireland	Index Removals Regulations Citizenship PPS Number Work Permits Green Card Currency Exchange Living in Ireland Irish Towns Shopping Online	Childcare in Ireland is a political priority right now. With 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. Even parents whose children live outside Ireland can claim this allowance. In the Budget of April 2009 it was announced that the Early Childcare Supplement (ECS) monthly payment will be halved to €41.50 per child from 1 May 2009. The supplement will be abolished at the end of 2009 and will be replaced in January 2010 with a free pre-school year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for all children between the ages of 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months. 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.
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