Joe Behan - Independent Councillor - Wicklow County Council


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Unfair Childminding Tax

Archive Statements > 2014

United Political Stance needed to Protect Families and Childminders.



The Government, through the Revenue Commissioners, has recently launched an insidious attack on childminders such as grandparents and other relatives who mind children at home while their parents are at work.

In the latest in a long line of measures directly attacking families the Government has announced, through the Revenue Commissioners, that any person minding children in their home is liable to pay income tax and PRSI on any money they might receive for doing so.

This will come as a serious shock to families who are forced to ask relatives such as grandparents for their help in minding their children because they cannot afford to pay for commercial childcare.

Home childminders will be allowed to earn a certain amount of income from childminding without having to pay tax but they must fill out a 26 page tax return form to claim this tax exemption. They will still have to pay PRSI even with the tax exemption. There is no doubt in my mind that this move is designed to frighten people who mind children in the home to declare their income to the Revenue Commissioner and will cause some people to stop providing this vital assistance for families.

This is a direct attack on home childminders, such as grandparents,who are trying to help out their sons and daughters who are themselves trying to cope with reduced incomes, mortgage debt and increased living costs. Childcare is one of the most important worries for parents and the peace of mind which comes from the knowledge that your children are being looked after by a trusted relative or friend is extremely important. However this valuable family and social activity is now being attacked by this Government and this attack will cause great damage if it is not challenged.

I believe that all public representatives should work together after the election to ensure that families are protected from Government measures such as this and at the very minimum the Government should be pressed to introduce a second free pre-school year from next September to help ease the pressures on young families at this time of great financial hardship.

Joe Behan
Independent Candidate for Bray, Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue



Serving the people of County Wicklow since 1985 | joebehan@outlook.ie

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