Childcare bonus coming on stream

It’s been nine months since Minister for Finance Brian Cowen announced plans to introduce a special €1,000 payment to help parents pay for childcare.

Known as the early childcare supplement, parents of children under six years of age are eligible for the new payment.

Parents will only start to receive the payment this month.

The supplement, which became effective in April, will be paid in four direct, non-taxable payments of €250 per child ...