Childcare services in Laois are to receive €171, 709 in extra funding, according to Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan.
Significant funding will be provided for services in Portlaoise and Mountmellick.
The financial boost comes at a key moment in Ireland’s move to accessible affordable quality childcare, Minister Flanagan said.
“I am delighted to announce that local childcare services will receive €171,709 in extra funding,” he said.
Money
“The money will be used to provide more than new childcare places, maintenance and building work as well as outdoor play areas and is available for immediate draw-down by providers here in Laois,” he said.
Childcare providers such as Laois Community and Enterprise Development Company Ltd, Portlaoise Community and Family Resource Centre Limited and Mountmellick Community Childcare Limited are to benefit from significant funding under the scheme.
“I hold the provision of quality, affordable and accessible childcare as a very highest priority, ensuring local children get the very best start in life.
“This funding will benefit children, families and providers under our Early Years programmes, and will contribute to the development of an infrastructure that is ready to meet the radical new approach to subsidising childcare outlined in Budget 2017,” he said.
Since first entering Government, Minister Flanagan said Fine Gael has prioritised hard pressed working families; the people who bore the brunt of the economic recession.
Working parents
A major part of this has been to reduce the cost of childcare for working parents, he said.
“We introduced the free pre-school year, and subsequently extended it to a second year. It is estimated the extended scheme provides an average saving of €4,000 per child.
“We also recently introduced paternity leave for the first time ever. Dads are now entitled to two weeks’ paid leave,” Minister Flanagan said.
“From September an estimated 70,000 children nationwide will get extra supports. This will really benefit families in Laois”
“Families will benefit in two ways. First there is a universal support for all children aged 3 and under then there are supports for those families who need it most.
“The second targeted support is based on income and also for those parents who have had to turn down jobs, training and education because they cannot afford childcare.
“I encourage parents in Laois to take the time to study the increased supports which are available and prepare for the autumn, by checking out the new website www.affordablechildcare.ie or by talking to staff at your local childcare centre,” Minister Flanagan said.
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