Children up to the age of five, whose parents are homeless, are to be offered free childcare for 25-hours a week under a new scheme.

The Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone says families registered as homeless in the Dublin region will benefit from next month as part of €8.25 million euro in funding.

The Minister says school children can avail of the free childcare outside of term time and it will be available for 50 weeks of the year.

The Department says other areas are also expected to follow.