Mary White (Fianna Fail)

No politician will do away with that allowance but the way of dealing with child care and contributing towards it financially, is not through child benefit, which is a farce. Last week the House had a very good discussion on parental leave. Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe where the State does not make a financial contribution for parental leave. It was discovered that more women from the higher income groups avail of parental leave because women in lower income groups cannot afford to take it. I have studied this matter with colleagues for the past three months, as a result of which I call for tax relief on child care costs and I also call for——