TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced on Thursday (Aug. 15) plans to expand Taiwan's childcare policies by NT$2,000 per month, building on former President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) initiatives.
Lai detailed the enhancements to the "National child care policy 2.0 for ages 0-6" (0到6歲國家一起養2.0), which raises the child care allowance for the first child from NT$5,000 to NT$7,000, the second child from NT$6,000 to NT$8,000, and the third child from NT$7,000 to NT$9,000 per month. He also noted that if a nanny cares for the children, the subsidies increase to NT$13,000, NT$14,000, and NT$15,000 for the first, second, and third child, respectively.
Lai aims to boost birth rates by increasing government subsidies for child care.
He emphasized that parents of children aged 2 to 6 would only need to pay NT$1,000 per month for public kindergarten, NT$2,000 for non-profit kindergarten, and NT$3,000 for quasi-public kindergarten, with the government covering the remaining costs.
"Tsai was the president who invested the most in social welfare in our nation's history," Lai praised, noting her unprecedented efforts to alleviate the financial burden on young couples.
Lai reiterated his commitment to enhancing Tsai's policies, urging the public to recognize the government's efforts and respond by having more children.