Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

I very much welcome the childcare supports and subsidies. It is critically important that we reduce the cost.

I also want to raise with the Minister a poll by Amárach Research in 2024, which found that 69% of mothers with children under the age of 18 would prefer to stay at home if they could afford it. In addition, 76% of mothers felt that their work in the home is undervalued compared to work in society. We know that women who stay at home to look after their children provide a very valuable service to their families, the community and the economy. Many mothers have children with disabilities and it is a necessity for them to provide additional care, particularly in light of the lack of services that are available from the State. What amount of the additional funding presided over by the Minister in recent years is going into supports for mothers and families on this aspect of childcare?

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