Ivor Callely
Question:50 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance whether he supports the view that the cost of child care should be incorporated into our tax allowance system. [20576/96]
Written Answers. - Child Care Costs.
Any proposals in relation to a tax allowance for child care will be considered in the context of the 1997 budget and the benefits of any such proposals will be considered in comparison to other possible tax reductions. In this context I would like to point out that, for example, it is tentatively estimated that if a tax allowance were introduced for the parents of children under five years to cover the cost of registered child care up to a maximum of £3,000 per annum, then the cost to the Exchequer would be £60 million.