A subsidised childcare scheme worth up to €2,000 for working parents with children under three forms part of a key pledge Fine Gael has committed to in exchange for support from Independent TDs.

At present the vast majority of parents do not receive any specific childcare subsidy until their children become eligible for the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme.
In talks with Independent TD Katherine Zappone, senior party officials have pledged to introduce a new affordable childcare scheme for children of working parents aged between nine months and three years.
The commitment states that an annual subsidy would be paid directly to centre- based childcare providers and registered childminders for children of this age range.
The size of the subsidy under consideration is about €2,000 per child per year, or about €20 million per year.

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