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Indecon Report on Childcare for Working Families and Implications for Employment. Alan W. Gray, Managing Partner, Indecon International Economic Consultants. 1. Introduction. Independent Report undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants
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Indecon Report on Childcare for Working Families and Implications for Employment Alan W. Gray, Managing Partner, Indecon International Economic Consultants
1. Introduction • Independent Report undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants • Report was Commissioned by Donegal Childcare Committee • Main Focus is on whether Childcare Represents a Barrier to Employment
2. Existing Childcare Arrangements in Ireland • 405,000 households have children under 10 years of age, of which 266,000 under five • Wide diversity of childcare arrangements - 77% of pre-school children are cared for by parents or relatives • Non-parental childcare is very important for working parents - 68% with pre-school children where both are working full-time
3. Impact of Childcare Costs on Employment • Evidence shows childcare costs are high percentage of average wages – 45% for sole parents • Lower exit rates from unemployment for families with children
7. Recommendations • Targeted childcare incentives for lower income families in employment or who are unemployed but secure employment. • Childcare amendment to current Family Income Supplement for Working Parents and Tax Allowance for low income families not eligible for FIS. • Incentives restricted to childcare expenditures provided by tax compliant and HSE registered childcare providers.