Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Minister for Finance if an unmarried but co-habiting father or mother who is returning to the workforce can claim tax credit allowances in respect of their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10820/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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There is no general tax credit in respect of the care of a child available to cohabiting parents, whether married or unmarried, returning to the workforce.

The Deputy will be aware that childcare is often a consideration for a parent returning to work, particularly in the case of the second parent. The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme, which is operated by my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone T.D., provides a free pre-school programme for children. This programme was extended in Budget 2016 to apply to children from the age of 3. In addition to the learning and development opportunities for the children, this scheme also reduces childcare costs for parents, facilitating greater workforce participation.

In the Programme for a Partnership Government there are a number of measures aimed to support parents and children. These include supporting the introduction of a robust model for subsidised high quality childcare for children aged 9-36 months in order for children and families to truly reap the benefits of greater investment, in line with the OECD recommendation that the best way to achieve affordability and quality at the same time is through subsidised childcare places.

The Government is committed to developing targeted supports to reduce childcare costs, broaden parental choice and increase supports for stay at home parents.