Vol. 490 No. 5
162 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide for a tax-free allowance for parents to obtain child care in cre ches in view of the fact that there is poor provision of affordable child care facilities to allow them to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10419/98]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's policy programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, is committed to maintaining the tradition of the family in Ireland and contains a number of priorities focused on support for both parents and their children.
With regard to childcare, in my budget speech last December I said "it is not possible to introduce all the new measures one would wish in a single budget. I have examined carefully the possibility of a tax relief on childcare at the standard rate of tax but have decided not to proceed with it this year. I will review the situation for my next budget in the light of the reports due next year from the working group on childcare set up under Partnership 2000 and from the household review group and the commission on the family set up by the previous Government. ” When the reports of the various groups become available later this year, I will then be in a position to give the issue more informed consideration in the context of next year's budget.
