A programme for free childcare centres will be launched next year, with the facility being offered to all families where both parents work as well as working single parents, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said in the Budget speech.

He said a White Paper would be issued in the near future.

Furthermore, those parents who work will be able to take their children to school an hour earlier. The children will be given a healthy breakfast. Teachers who opt to participate will be paid extra.

While the free childcare programme was rolled out, the the tax benefit for parents who paid for their children’s childcare would be extended to an outlay of €2,000 from the current €1,300, the minister said.

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