Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. What steps are he and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform taking to keep costs down for all households, particularly State-controlled costs? Households and, in particular, employed persons are paying major taxes, including new taxes in recent years such as the property tax and water charges, as well as the dreaded USC. The most expensive outgoings for households are child care costs and mortgage debt payments. What measures will the Minister take to specifically help those with high child care costs? Recently, the OECD indicated that a family in Ireland with two children would spend 40% of its average wage on child care costs. This amounts to over €2,000 per month to keep a baby and a toddler in child care facilities. What is the Minister doing to target this issue?

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