The Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman has said he hopes to include childminders in the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) from next year.

This would mean they could avail of cuts to childcare costs the same as a crèche.

It comes after a 25% reduction in the cost of childcare was announced on Tuesday as part of Budget 2023.

The scheme has been costed at €121 million.

Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath said it would "put up to €175 a month, or €2,106 a year" back in parents pockets.

Minister O'Gorman told Newstalk Breakfast he hopes to expand it next year.

"Core funding, which we introduced, kicked in early this year.

"That has already delivered additional capacity, we're seeing an increase of about 15% in the number of childcare places that are available - and particularly for children who are under-three.

"Right now childminders, by and large, aren't able to avail of the NCS because they're not regulated - they're not registered with Tusla.

"We're putting in a scheme - the Childminding Action Plan - to create a simplified system whereby childminders can register.

"They don't have to go through all the process that a crèche would have to go through.

"But once they're able to register, they'll be able to benefit from the NCS.

"And I would hope that next year, we'll be able to look to include childminders in the NCS.

"So parents who use them... that they can also benefit from the efforts the Government is making to cut the cost of childcare for parents".

On claims that some parents will not see as a big a reduction as suggested, Minister O'Gorman said every situation is different.

"We can only speak in averages because we can't look at the individual circumstances of every parent.

"Each parent has a different childcare need, they use different hours, the age of their children is different.

"But we're bringing forward this major package of financial support for parents that is going to deliver very significantly in terms of cost savings", he added.