Crèches shouldn’t increase their fees unless they absolutely have to according to the Children’s Minister.
Katherine Zappone says 75 per cent of childcare providers are now signed up to the support scheme which would give parents just over €1,000 a year.
It’s part of her bid to tackle the high cost of childcare for pre-school children up to 3 years old.
But there have been reports of childcare providers increasing their costs in line with the extra money parents will have.
Teresa Heeney from Early Childhood Ireland says the cost increase is because they badly need more Government money.
Minister Zappone says the increase must be because they need it, and not just to take advantage of new supports.
The Minister has also warned it may reduce her negotiating position with the Finance Minister if childcare providers are all increasing their costs to take advantage of the new payment.
