Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Programme Spending The scope for changes in expenditure programmes in mid-year is limited. Changes over the next three years will be informed by the report of the special group on expenditure and numbers, which is evaluating all programmes. We need to achieve better results with fewer resources. One example of how this has been done in this budget is the changes we have introduced to the early child care supplement. This scheme was introduced to help people with the cost of child care at the height of the boom. While appropriate to the time, it cost the State €480 million last year. The programme is now being replaced by a free early child care and education year for pre-school children at an estimated cost of €170 million.

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