<p>
	A subsidised childcare package for low-income families was signed off by ministers Paschal Donohoe and Katherine Zappone last night.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Ms Zappone was said to be &ldquo;extremely happy&rdquo; with the package, which is set to benefit families with a net income of up to &euro;47,000.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	She had pressed for subsidised childcare to be prioritised for lower-income families, while Fine Gael TDs had sought to include &ldquo;squeezed&rdquo; middle-income families on up to &euro;55,000.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The Irish Examiner has learned the details of what level the package will apply to remains to be finalised.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	It comes amid speculation that the proposed tax-break for first-time buyers, which was due to be up to &euro;15,000, could now be closer to &euro;20,000, as negotiations between Public Expenditure Minister Mr Donohoe and Housing Minister Simon Coveney continue.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	A spokeswoman for Mr Coveney said she was not aware of where the &euro;20,000 figure came from, but it was understood a figure greater than &euro;15,000 was now accepted.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Meanwhile, tax breaks for landlords will feature as part of next week&rsquo;s budget.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	The measure, to which the Government is agreeable, would allow property tax become a deductible expense in calculating a landlord&rsquo;s taxable rental income.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Landlords want the move &mdash; recommended in the Thornhill report on local property tax &mdash; implemented or suggest that, alternatively, the tax should be paid by tenants.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Department of Finance sources</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	confirmed that the measure is in the mix, on the basis that the Programme for Government promises &ldquo;enhanced tax relief for landlords who accept rent supplement and Housing Assistance Payment tenants&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Finance Minister Michael Noonan previously told the last D&aacute;il the Government &ldquo;had agreed in principle&rdquo; with &ldquo;the recommendation of the Thornhill Report that local property tax should be a deductible expense in calculating a landlord&rsquo;s taxable rental income&rdquo;. He noted the report recommended &ldquo;phasing in deductibility over a period of years&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Department of Finance sources said last night that a lot of good measures in principle would be in the budget, but that some would be &ldquo;funded on a phased basis&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Mr Donohoe separately said he is &ldquo;in the middle of very difficult discussions&rdquo;, which are set to continue over the weekend.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;I have much progress that I have to make in the coming days,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 6th October 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/subsidised-childcare-for-families-on-low-pay-424403.html">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/subsidised-childcare-for-families-on-low-pay-424403.html</a></p>
