Childminders who work in own homes will be able to take advantage of subsidies from September

Childminders who work in their own homes will be able to take advantage of subsidies from September, under plans being progressed by the Government.

Incoming taoiseach Simon Harris is understood to be planning to fast track the move, which had been planned already, with legislation before the Dáil breaks for the summer

The legislation would allow childminders – and the parents whose children are cared for by them – to take advantage of the higher rates of subsidies introduced by Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman in the budget last year, which are due to take effect in September.

They had previously only applied to those using childcare settings such as creches.

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On Sunday, Mr Harris said that housing remains the “biggest overriding priority” for the Government after he faced accusations of ignoring the area in speeches after he became Fine Gael leader.

Speaking at an event in Dublin to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising, Mr Harris outlined a range of policy areas to receive specific attention after he enters office.

“I’m very conscious of the challenges being felt by small businesses at the moment, and very conscious around the cost of doing business in Ireland, particularly for small business,” Mr Harris said, adding that he would also focus on crime and public safety and that housing “remains the biggest overriding priority for Government”.

Last week, Sinn Féin targeted Mr Harris for what it said was “radio silence” on housing in his speeches after becoming leader of Fine Gael, saying he “does not care” about people suffering due to the housing crisis.

Mr Harris is preparing to become taoiseach on April 9th and is understood to be prioritising a range of areas, including the cost of education, in the limited time available to him in the role before the next election.

He is set to announce that students will be able to earn €7,925 while working without impacting any grants.

The new limit for earnings outside term-time, which replaces an old threshold of €6,552, is being introduced to reflect increases in the old-age pension and the national minimum wage. The income threshold for the special rate of maintenance grant has also increased from €25,000 to €26,200 for the same reason.

Mr Harris said he was working on developing policy areas but that he was “very committed” to the programme for Government.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said at the same event that the three party leaders – himself, Mr Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin – met last week and said that the Government’s mandate should be seen out through to early next year. He said priorities were always being re-examined.

Susi, the body that administers grant aid for students, will this week open applications for student grant funding for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Already-announced measures in the budget provided for an increase in grant rates by up to €615, as well as increasing the income threshold for a 100 per cent student contribution grant to €55,924, and changes to income thresholds for maintenance grants.

Mr Harris will also focus on law and order, planning to seek additional supports for An Garda Síochána and the roll out of body-worn cameras and moves on tougher sentencing.

He has held meetings with party colleagues across the country as he prepares to become taoiseach. Mr Harris is set to meet the Fine Gael agriculture and business committees next week, and will be asking for proposals in policy areas within the first six weeks in office.

A source said there will be a focus on farming and businesses as two areas which need significant support for the remainder of the year.

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