Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be aware that it is now a very challenging time for young families around the pressures of work and perhaps people do not take the time immediately after their child is born.

Will the Department be looking at the issue of caring and childcare in the budget in the context of forward planning? It is an extremely important area. I very much welcome the extension in the parent's benefits because it is important for parents that they can get this time after a child is born, and particularly in the first two years. It is about forward planning for that whole area and funding from the Department. I was wondering if the Department is having consultations with the various interest groups in that area, and especially with parent representative groups?

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