Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The EU regulations the Minister and the Minister for Justice and Equality introduced will give parents a right to request a change in working hours for a set period on return from parental leave. Employers are not required to grant it but under the EU regulation they must consider it. This is an advance. It is important that we support parents of young children in the difficult balancing act of caring for a young family. This regulation will improve the quality of home-life for working parents. In this connection, one must always mention the people, who by choice, be it the mother or the father, want to care full time for their children at home and not avail of child care. That is a choice we must provide.

The increase in parental leave given effect in the European Union parental leave regulation 2013 is also very important because it gives parents an equal role in caring for the children and helps to break down the stereotypes about child care. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and the Minister, Deputy Shatter, will encourage women to remain in the workforce after they have children if that is their wish.

Other Senators have outlined the parental leave that is available compared to what was available only six to eight months ago. The Government is committed to improving child care facilities. Only last week the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, announced the national child care capital allowance of €2.74 million which comes as part of the second round of capital grants to the child care sector. They are old but important grants. They were introduced many years ago and this is one of the areas where there could have been cuts but the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, recognised the importance of the grants in achieving a home-work life balance.

An important aspect is sharing and being willing to participate. Senator White has included in the Bill that the choice must be made between the parents. It is important that something be written into the Bill to ensure that the choice is freely made, whether it be witnessed or otherwise. We do not know what happens in households. It is important that a provision in included to ensure the choice is made freely.