Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. In respect of Social Justice Ireland's recommendations on childcare and the expense of it, it is effectively a second mortgage for many families. One of the issues holding back a more equal and just society is the lack of access to affordable childcare. I understand what Dr. Healy said about widening the tax base and increasing taxation but what are his views on childcare provision and what needs to happen next?

I would also welcome his views on legislation that has passed Second Stage in the House but has stalled. It was a suggestion to share current entitlements. This is a question for both witnesses. Approximately 50% of the population is female. There are more barriers to getting back into employment, sustaining higher-paid employment and working full time because of childcare and because the way the system is set up means that caring responsibilities tend to fall more to Mum than Dad. One of the issues, particularly for women who are self-employed or in public life, is they do not get maternity leave but cannot transfer maternity leave to their partners so, effectively, the family loses leave that is available. What are the witnesses' views on allowing a mother to transfer all or part of that leave within the family to cater for women who are self-employed, running their own businesses or in public life who do not have access to maternity leave? We need to start thinking outside the box. Paternity leave is fantastic and, obviously, the gold-plated standard, which we wish to attain, is a year at home with baby for Mum and Dad. That is what we want to attain but the Government is looking to increase paternity leave by between two and seven weeks in three, four or five years - whenever it happens, we just do not know - but it is a long, slow and dragged out process. Easing that burden now so that women would be better able to access the workplace would benefit everybody, not just women. Could both witnesses respond to that question?