Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We will wait and see what happens.

On the section, we discussed this matter when the initial legislation was introduced. The main issue is where Ireland, as a country, is going in terms of what to do with its wealth. Will the Minister of State indicate whether the socialist Taoiseach has considered this legislation? What is at issue here is a time during which parents — single or married and regardless of whether Kevin Myers likes them — must deal with particular costs and charges. These are the costs associated with maternity and the medicinal aspects — these could include hospital costs — attached thereto. There are also costs in respect of the purchase of cots, prams and clothes and those which arise in respect of child minding. There are further additional costs in connection with paying for a child care place in order to retain it during parental leave. These are, therefore, extra demands placed on parents during the period with which the section deals. What do we do? We fine these people further by ensuring that they are not paid their salaries during the period. These people, therefore, are obliged to take a double hit.

In the past the country could not afford to take action in respect of this matter but that is no longer the case. Senator White has been to the fore in making the case, time and again, in support of child minding supports, structures and needs and is aware of the point I am making. That is completely wrong and indefensible, particularly when EU countries such as Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and others have made particular arrangements in respect of this matter. I wish to make it clear, and not mislead the House, that such arrangements do not, in all cases, include full pay. However, a payment of some description — whether from the employer or via a benefit of some description — is paid to people on parental leave in these countries. I do not wish to make a distinction at present because I want to discuss the general principle.

The position in Ireland is fundamentally wrong. In addition, in terms of our pro-family and child-centred Constitution, it is unacceptable. If we could not afford to do what I am asking because of a lack of resources, that would be fine. However, that is no longer the position. Ireland has a stronger economy than any of the countries to which I refer and to the UK, which introduced paid paternity leave in recent times. Our economy is outstripping theirs, so why is it not possible to invest some money in this area? How much would it cost to do what I seek? The birth rate is approximately 60,000 per year. How many people who have children take parental leave? How much would it cost to give them some form of payment?

There must be something that can be done for the people to whom I refer. Even if one parent of the 60,000 children born here each year availed of a payment of, for example, €500 or €1,000 provided by the State, the total cost would only amount to between €30 million or €60 million. I do not have the exact figure but Members are aware that the number of people who take parental leave is quite low. I concede that offering a payment would lead to an increase in that figure but we are only talking about €30 million or €40 million out of billions accrued from gross national product in this country. I cannot in all conscience accept that what is happening here is anything other than penny-pinching. There is no justification for not having some payment in respect of parental leave at present. I ask the Minister of State to reconsider the position and to not press the matter to a vote at this time. He has indicated his intention to introduce amendments on Report Stage and he should draft an amendment to allow payment to people on parental leave.