Mother-of-two ‘disappointed’ childcare cut not happening until September 2024

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A mother-of-two from Co Kildare has expressed disappointment that a further 25% reduction in childcare costs will not kick in until September 2024.

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman previously pledged to halve childcare fees across two years.

Last year’s budget delivered a 25 per cent cut and while a further 25 per cent reduction was announced in Budget 2024, the change will not come into effect until September next year.

Aline Milato’s two children, three-year-old Liam and two-year-old Amanda are in childcare for 10 hours a day, five days a week.

Speaking to the PA news agency, she said she was “disappointed” that a second 25 per cent cut in childcare costs had been pushed out to September 2024.

“That’s no good. The price goes up with age and everything else is so expensive. Food is very expensive, electricity is very expensive, and you always have to pay for everything,” she said.

Ms Milato said she was also facing increased prices in her household budget, as her latest energy bill was €288 for the last two months.

“That’s really high, especially because I don’t have a dryer or anything, and we’re both working with the kids in school all day.”

She said last year’s energy credits were “very helpful” and while the equivalent payouts under Budget 2024 would be reduced by a total of €150, she said she was happy to see further help with her bills.

Elsewhere, she said she and her husband would be happy with the double child-benefit payment and changes to income tax.

“Those are good. That’s always the discussion in the home. You’re working, working, working – and you’re just paying taxes without ever seeing any benefit,” she told PA.