TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te unveiled detailed proposals for his national policy blueprint, the "National Project of Hope," on Tuesday (Sept. 12), aiming to increase investment for future generations aged from 0 to 22.
In his speech, Lai emphasized the significance of the 0-22 age group as a crucial period from birth to early adulthood, where government support is vital. Hence, he proposed to increase subsidies for those using public childcare, quasi-public childcare, or home daycare services if elected.
For the 0-6 category, the Vice President outlined objectives to establish an affordable and approachable childcare system by expanding public and quasi-public childcare capacity and reducing the financial burden for parents raising children aged 0-2. The aim is to bring their average monthly expenses closer to that of parents with children from 2 to 6.
"Subsidy for the first child using public childcare services will increase from NT＄5,500 to NT＄7,000. The second child will receive NT＄8,000, and NT＄9,000 for the third one," the DPP presidential hopeful explained.
Lai stressed that the subsidy for quasi-public childcare services and home daycare services will increase from "NT＄8,500 to NT＄13,000, as the second child receives NT＄14,000, and NT＄15,000 for the third child."
In the 6 to 18 age group, Lai reiterated goals to implement full-tuition exemptions for high schools and vocational colleges. As for those aged 18 to 22, he vowed to narrow tuition gaps for public and private universities, draft a "Youth Policy White Paper", and increase the presence of top foreign universities in Taiwan.