Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The focus of the Minister's attention on child care is the child benefit system but that does not provide adequate help to alleviate financial pressure on married couples. Many people pay an amount for child care equivalent to their mortgage repayment each month. It is a significant burden on young working couples who have managed to purchase a house and who are trying to rear children. Does the Minister concede his efforts through the child benefit system are inadequate and do not meet the needs of young couples and that he must refocus his attention on others method to help them with child care costs?

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