Fine Gael has accused Minister for Children Brian Lenihan of engaging in a "publicity stunt" by issuing two leaflets in his own name to thousands of families around the country informing them of the new early-childcare payment.
However, yesterday a spokeswoman for Mr Lenihan rejected the claim, saying the information campaign would result in savings to the Exchequer.
The information campaign, which will cost just over €250,000, involves the sending of two leaflets to all families with children under six who are believed to be eligible for the €1,000 payment. The first leaflet was sent to families in April and the second will be sent in August, closer to the time of the first instalment of the payment.
Fine Gael spokesman on social and family affairs David Stanton claimed that the payment was a "misuse" of public funds.
"There is absolutely nothing in these letters that parents don't already know about the ECS.
"This childcare payment is paid automatically to all recipients of child benefit with children under six, and information surrounding the ECS is easily available and has already been widely circulated."
Yesterday a spokeswoman for Mr Lenihan said the decision to carry out the mailshot arose from the large number of requests for information on the payment from the public.
She said the second mailshot was being carried out jointly with a campaign on the doctor-only medical cards in an effort to reduce costs.
She said it was also one of the first major initiatives being overseen by the newly-created office of the Minister for Children, and the Minister signing the information leaflet was therefore seen as appropriate.
"This is standard practice. This was a public information service, and this is not a question of publicity seeking."