Families urged to take advantage of €19m aid scheme

Families with young children have been urged to take advantage of a new €19m state aid support scheme that is set to come on stream next month and is aiming to help thousands of households across the country.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made the request as he was forced to reject claims the mooted €5 budget pension rise will reduce the money available to help young families and place added pressure on the already stretched childcare support system.

Under plans announced by Mr Varadkar and Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone yesterday, existing support schemes for young families are due to be amalgamated into the Affordable Childcare Scheme from next month.