Belgian Welfare Minister Gennez.. Guarantees No Cuts to Vital Childcare Funding

Belgian Welfare Minister Gennez Ensures No Cuts to Childcare Funding

The masterplan for childcare is a major reform by the Flemish government, investing 200 million euros annually to create ten thousand new places. However, delayed savings measures raise questions about future funding gaps.

Marie Dupont24 July 2025Last Update : 1 day ago

Welzijnsminister Gennez stellig na “rekenfout”: “Er wordt niet geraakt aan het extra geld voor kinderopvang”

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The masterplan for childcare reform is one of the major initiatives by the Flemish government, aiming to tackle the severe shortages in childcare places across Flanders. With an additional €200 million annually, the plan seeks to create 10,000 new childcare spots. This ambitious reform is closely watched by Belgian families hoping for better access to affordable childcare.

6 Key Takeaways

Vlaamse regering investeert 200 miljoen euro extra
Minister Gennez verlaagt kindkorting vanaf 2026
Besparing uitgesteld veroorzaakt 20 miljoen gat
Gennez verzekert geen minder investering gepland
Oppositie vreest impact op kinderopvangbudget
Gennez benadrukt tekorten door latere invoering

To help finance this reform, Minister Gennez announced cuts to the child discount currently available for families with multiple children in childcare. Starting in 2026, this discount will only apply to children up to 30 months old, rather than up to 12 years as it does now. Although the plan was expected to save €20 million this year and €30 million each year thereafter, the government decided on 2025-07-24 04:05:00 to delay these savings until next year, creating a temporary funding gap.

But what does this mean for the overall investment in childcare? Can the government maintain its promise despite these adjustments? The answers lie in the details of the budget and political debate.

Fast Answer: The Flemish government’s €200 million childcare investment remains intact despite delayed savings from reduced child discounts, ensuring continued expansion of childcare places for Belgian families.

Is this delay a miscalculation or a strategic choice? Minister Gennez insists it’s deliberate to protect existing family rights, while opposition voices worry about the financial shortfall. Key points to consider include:

The €20 million shortfall in 2025, plus €11 million and €12 million in 2026 and 2027 respectively
Minister Gennez’s assurance that the overall €1.3 billion childcare budget has enough margin to absorb the gap
Opposition concerns that the shortfall could impact the planned growth in childcare capacity
The government’s commitment to uphold investment levels despite these budgetary shifts

This reform is crucial for Belgian families, as it directly impacts childcare availability and affordability in Flanders over the coming years.

As the Flemish government moves forward with its childcare masterplan, close monitoring of budget execution and transparency will be essential. Will the promised investments translate into real improvements for families? Belgian parents and stakeholders should stay engaged to ensure these reforms deliver on their potential.