Over eighty per cent of childcare providers have signed up to deliver extra supports for families.

There had been fears that parents wouldn't be able to avail of the new scheme, as many facilities were slow to register - citing high administration costs.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs says the uptake has surged in recent weeks - over 3-thousand créches, preschools and other childcare services are now signed up.

Parents can now get 1,040 euro per year in childcare supports for all children up to 3, while up to 7-thousand 500 euro is available for families most in need.