Childcare Cowen’s cornerstone

FINANCE MINISTER Brian Cowen yesterday made a multi-billion euro childcare strategy the centrepiece of his ‘windfall’ Budget.

With one eye on the next election, Mr Cowen insisted his aim was to improve equality and opportunity as he targeted the elderly, low paid and parents.

Mr Cowen unveiled a €1.1bn package of social welfare increases, including an extra €16 per week for old-age pensioners and €17 per week for the unemployed as he allocated an estimated €2.5bn Exchequer surplus.