The incoming Taoiseach, Simon Harris, is hastening plans to implement legislation that would grant subsidies, due to begin in September, to childminders working from their own homes. This measure, which was already in the pipeline, would enable both childminders and the parents they work for to benefit from the elevated subsidy rates introduced in last year’s budget by Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman.
During a recent event commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, Mr Harris, who is poised to take on the Taoiseach role on April 9th, highlighted a number of policy areas that would receive his attention once he takes office. He expressed awareness of the challenges currently facing small businesses in Ireland and cited the costs they incur as a particular concern. He further added that crime and public safety would be areas of interest while emphasising that his key priority remains housing.
Mr Harris’s post-appointment speeches were criticised by Sinn Féin last week, the party accusing him of ignoring the housing crisis and of apathy towards those affected by it. However, Mr Harris is reportedly prioritising various areas, education costs among them, in the limited time he will have in his role before the upcoming election. Additionally, he plans to announce a new earning limit of €7,925 that students can reach through work without compromising any grants.
He commented on the status of the new limit by saying it had been established to respond to increases in the old-age pension and national minimum wage. Simultaneously, the income threshold for the special rate of maintenance grant has risen from €25,000 to €26,200 for the same reasons. Mr Harris stated his intent to work on shaping policy areas but affirmed his firm commitment to the government’s programme.
Eamon Ryan, the Green Party head, declared at a public event that a meeting transpired last week between the leaders of three parties, namely himself, Mr Harris, and Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin. They discussed that the Government’s mandate should continue up until early next year, while constantly re-evaluating priorities.
Additionally, the authority overseeing student grant aid, Susi, plans to begin receiving applications for the 2024/2025 academic year’s grant funding this week. Included in the budget are provisions for a €615 increase in grant rates, raising the income cap for full student contribution grants to €55,924. There is also a change in income limits for maintenance grants.
Furthermore, Mr Harris is expected to address issues related to law and order, advocating for enhanced assistance for the An Garda Síochána, the deployment of body-worn cameras, and tougher sentencing approaches. He has held discussions with party associates nationwide, readying himself for his Taoiseach appointment. He is expected to meet with the Fine Gael committees on agriculture and business, appealing for early policy proposals within his initial six weeks in office.
A source revealed an anticipated focus on farming and businesses, two sectors considered crucial for the rest of the year’s support.