Minister says tax-breaks won't solve problem of childcare

Tax-breaks are not the solution to the cost of childcare problem, according to The Minister for Social and Family Affairs Seamus Brennan.

The minister said today that option would do nothing for lone parents or families on low pay who are not currently in the tax net in the first place.

Mr Brennan said that there was a danger that childcare could become a middle-income issue.

He said the Government is currently looking at a range of options to ease the burden on all parents, including a big hike in child benefit.