A welcome ‘drop in the ocean’ for childcare

AS a stay-at-home mother of three young children, Geraldine Murray will be €2,544 better off next year because of Brian Cowen’s childcare budget boost.

Geraldine says she’s glad to see the cost of childcare being recognised, at last, by the Government, but adds that €1,000 per year is a “drop in the ocean” compared to the loss of earnings outside the home.

Geraldine’s children, Alex, Conor and Hazel are aged five, two and six months, so she will be able to avail of the new early childcare supplement, which amounts to €1,000 per year for each of her children before they reach the age of six.