Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Naturally, I welcome the grant. In the programme for Government, there are a number of very good commitments for families and young children and this grant, for example, goes a long way towards helping with the costs that come with having a newborn. There is talk in the document of examining the extension of parent's leave and benefit and providing additional flexibility. I ask that consideration also be given to that leave in the Houses of the Oireachtas. No formal paternity leave is granted to TDs and Senators and that is something we should look at in a modern Parliament to reflect what happens in wider society.

Separately, while I understand this is not directly part of the Minister's brief, childcare remains a major hurdle. We are going a long way as a Government towards assisting with the cost of childcare but access continues to be an issue. These are combined issues for new families and parents.

I welcome the level of work the Government and the Department in particular are doing.

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