Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

I have grown up — both of us have at this stage.

The OECD report goes against others mentioned. For instance, the birth rate across OECD countries is very low. Ireland and France have the highest rates in the OECD at 1.9 per 1,000 women of child bearing age. Even that figure is below the replacement rate. The OECD seems to have conflicting policies in terms of economics and society. It seems to be stating we need to get more women into the workforce, yet the role of caring for families, whether by women or men, seems to be something of a side show in many reports. One cannot have economic development and a declining birth rate, while at the same time trying to encourage the maximum number into the workforce without making any financial provision to give people the option of remaining at home to care for their families.

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