Government to double childcare subsidy to NT$5,000 in 2021

Taipei, Sept. 29 (CNA) The central government is set to double the childcare subsidy for households with young children up to the age of 4, starting next year, rising from NT$2,500 (US$68.86) to NT$5,000 per month, Education Minister Pan Wen-chung (潘文忠) said Tuesday.

The proposed increase is under final review by the Executive Yuan and will take effect next year, according to Pan.

Pan made the remarks at a legislative hearing.

Currently, parents with children aged 2-4 who are not enrolled in a public or semi-public preschool are entitled to NT$2,500 per child per month.

According to an administrative report for 2021 by the Executive Yuan, a total of NT$60.7 billion has been earmarked to tackle Taiwan's falling birth rate, up NT$10.3 billion, or 20.3 percent, from a year earlier.

The budget plan includes NT$55 billion to create a more child-raising friendly environment.