Newborn scheme shelved as coalition parties decide on programme for government

It is understood plans for a publicly funded childcare model will be included, which was widely agreed-upon during the election campaign by most parties

A key pre-election proposal of Taoiseach Simon Harris’s will be watered down in the programme for government as plans to put €1,000 for all newborns in a savings scheme will not make the final document.

The Acorn scheme had been one of few areas of divergence between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and will see its wording changed to a commitment to explore the idea. It is understood plans for a publicly funded childcare model will be included, which was widely agreed-upon during the election campaign by most parties.