Lenihan hails childminder tax break

Minister for Children Brian Lenihan has welcomed the increase in tax exemption for childminders contained in yestersday's Budget.

The measure means a childminder providing care for three or more children in her or his home can now earn up to €15,000 a year in income before paying tax.

Mr Lenihan said childminders offer a very personalised, practical and flexible childcare service and that the Government wished to acknowledge the important role they play.

Voluntary notification of childminding activity was made a condition of the tax exemption in last year's budget, but so far only 500 childminders have voluntarily notified the authorities of their services.

Mr Lenihan said he was very hopeful that this number will increase further in 2007 with the increased threshold for the exemption.

The Minister today published two booklets on childminding produced by the Office of the Minister for Children on behalf of the National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee (NCCC).

The National Guidelines for Childmindersintends to set down a nationally recognised core requirements and guidelines on good practice to assist childminders in adopting and maintaining best practice, Mr Lenihan said.

He said Diversity and Equality Guidelines for Childcare Providerscontained comprehensive information and advice that will assist childcare practitioners, early childhood teachers, managers and policy makers in their exploration, understanding and development of diversity and equality practice.