Thousands of hard-working families are to miss out on part of the Government’s new childcare subsidy due to a delay in building a workable IT system.

Revenue and the Department of Social Protection are not yet in a position to share information that will allow the scheme be automatically administered – meaning around 9,000 families will miss out on up to €12 a week from September.

Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone is unable to say when the problem will be resolved but it will be next year at the earliest.

It was announced last year that €19m would be spent this year on the Affordable Childcare Scheme that would benefit every families with a child under three years old.

Ms Zappone said today that Ireland is “moving from one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world to the best”.

From September a new universal childcare subsidy will kick in for 33,000 children. For children in full-time, registered childcare, it will amount to €1,000 a year.

Read the full article on The Irish Independent website