Executive Yuan to Launch Parental Leave, Child-Rearing Housing Tax Breaks; Plan to be Unveiled on the 28th

(CNA, Taipei, 19th, by reporters Lai Yu-chen and Kao Hua-chien) To refine policies addressing the low birthrate, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced today that a comprehensive support plan for ages 0 to 18 will be launched. This includes upgrading flexible parental leave to "childcare leave," extending the applicable age to 6. At the same time, tax deductions for child-rearing housing will be promoted, along with more reasonable planning for marriage leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave. The entire plan is expected to be sent to the Executive Yuan for approval on the 28th.

As the Lai administration approaches its second anniversary, Premier Cho Jung-tai, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, and Secretary-General Chang Tun-han attended the Executive Yuan's May 20th press conference today. They explained recent achievements and future prospects, including the "magic number" for refining low birthrate policies, and responded to media questions.

The so-called magic number, 18, refers to the government's plan to launch a comprehensive support program for ages 0 to 18. Premier Cho stated that the policy focuses on the three stages of birth, child-rearing, and education. The government aims to provide comprehensive support by increasing subsidies, reducing burdens, offering more flexibility, and enhancing care, with the goals of ensuring peace of mind in childbearing, strengthening childcare, boosting education, creating a friendly workplace, and reducing housing pressure.

He said the plan includes upgrading flexible parental leave to "childcare leave" and raising the upper age limit to 6. It will also promote tax deductions for child-rearing housing and more reasonable planning for marriage leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave, hoping to achieve the goal of care and companionship and encourage dual-parent participation.

Premier Cho stated that the relevant plans have been reported to President Lai Ching-te in recent weeks and have been assessed as being within the country's financial capacity. However, the specific details have not yet been discussed by the Executive Yuan Council. The macro plan is expected to be discussed and approved at the Executive Yuan Council meeting on the 28th at the earliest, after which it will be explained to the public.

Regarding the KMT legislative caucus's "Save the Nation's Future: Livelihood Policies to Combat Low Birthrate" proposal from yesterday—which includes fully subsidized health insurance for children aged 0-6, a NT$20,000 childcare subsidy every six months for ages 0-6, and a NT$5,000 monthly parenting allowance for ages 0-15, with an estimated annual budget of about NT$241.6 billion—and the Blue-White coalition's Taiwan Future Account special bill, Premier Cho responded that a public policy is not a comparison of who has bigger numbers or more funding.

He emphasized that policies must be compared based on whether they involve overall strategic deployment and comprehensive supporting measures. The government's plan is more complete as it involves different planning for the three stages of birth, child-rearing, and education, assisting families through subsidies, reduced burdens, flexible time, and practical care. Merely selecting a few items for resource injection would inevitably lead to imbalance. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150519