Parents with children under six are being given a financial boost from Monday with the start of a new child-benefit scheme worth at least €1,000 a year for each eligible family.
The first payments under the Early Childcare Supplement, announced in last December's budget, are being made to all mothers and fathers regardless of whether or not they work.
The supplement is arranged to help with the costs of caring for children up to their sixth birthday, the mandatory age for attending school. The bonus is part of the Government's five-year childcare strategy.
The payments will be exempt from income tax and will be made every three months for 350,000 children under the age of six years.
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen forecast the scheme to cost €265 million in 2006 and €353 million in a full year.
The supplement will further improve payments to assist in the cost of child rearing, with the monthly child benefit rate for the first and second child up to €150 and the rate for third and subsequent children up to €185 after last year's budget.
More details of the system will be released today by children's minister Brian Lenihan who will also announce a further €7.3 million in funding for grant assistance to childcare providers.