Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

A slightly better increase of €2 per week in the child care supplement is being offered. One might say this is extraordinarily generous but the reality is that out of their pre-tax income, people must find an incredible €18,000 per child to support children in child care. That is the reality in the tiger economy of today. Families where both parents are forced to work face that obstacle of €18,000 for each child. This issue must be addressed and has been persistently ignored by this Government.

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