Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said a final decision on the introduction of proposals on childcare provision will not be taken before this year's budget.
Responding to questions at the launch of the Tallaght West 10-year strategy in Jobstown yesterday, Mr Ahern said a high-level working group on the issue had made a number of proposals. A cost-benefit analysis of these would be conducted over the next few weeks, he said.
However, no decision would be taken before this year's budget.
Mr Ahern's comments follow the revelation in yesterday's Irish Times that the Government is considering a 30 per cent increase in child benefit for children under five.
This is contained in a detailed childcare strategy drawn up in consultation with the National Children's Office.
The strategy includes a range of other proposals, among them tax relief, extended paid paternal leave, and a subsidised pre-school or kindergarten scheme.
Another option considered in the report is the provision of a year's free pre-school for 3 to 4-year-olds, at an estimated annual cost of €141 million, plus capital costs of €233 million.