The Finance Minister says the Family Boost scheme isn't exactly as promised pre-election

From July, parents and caregivers can claim back up to 25 percent of childcare costs, to a maximum 75-dollars a week.

21-thousand families qualify for the full amount.

Nicola Willis says they'd hoped to reimburse parents every fortnight.

But she says officials advised their systems weren't sophisticated enough -- and could take three years to improve.

She says families need relief now, so that was too long to wait -- and instead families will be be reimbursed every three months.

The programme is expected to cost 723-million over four years, less than projected by National in its pre-election fiscal plan.