President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan will shift child care from a private
burden to a shared public responsibility.

Lai made the remarks as the government announced 18 new measures to support
families and respond to Taiwan's falling birth rate.

The plan includes a 5-thousand NT monthly growth allowance for people from
birth to age 18.

Cabinet Secretary-General Chang Tun-han (張惇涵) says children under six will
receive the full amount directly.

For children from six to 18, families will receive 2-thousand-500 NT a month.



The other 2-thousand-500 NT will be placed in a special child and youth
growth account.

Chang says recipients will have at least 360-thousand NT by age 18 for
education, starting a business, or other uses.

The government will also expand assisted reproduction subsidies to as much as
150-thousand NT for eligible people under 45.

Student loan interest will be cut by another 1 percent, and repayment
extensions will be increased by one year.

The plan also includes childcare tax cuts and longer marriage, maternity, and
paternity leave.

(PB)