The Social Democrats today published a range of proposals to support families, including improved paid leave arrangements for parents; a right to flexible work options; and building a public model of early childhood care and education.<\/p>\n
The policy will be launched by children\u2019s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore and Cllr Jen Cummins, the party\u2019s general election candidate in Dublin South-Central.<\/p>\n
In government, the Soc Dems will extend paid parents\u2019 leave by four weeks to each parent \u2013 to a total of 13 weeks each \u2013 to cover the first 12 months of a child\u2019s life. In addition, they would increase Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive and Parents\u2019 Benefit to \u20ac350 per week.<\/p>\n
The party would also begin building a public model of early childhood education and care (ECEC), delivered by a National Childcare Agency. To ensure affordability for parents, fees would be capped at \u20ac250, or \u20ac200 for lower income households.<\/p>\n
The party has also pledged to eliminate consistent child poverty by 2030; enact effective legislation to protect children online; and establish a commission to examine the introduction of a right to flexible work and a four-day week.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of the launch, Jennifer Whitmore said:<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite some improvements in recent years, in Ireland we simply do not do enough to support families. We still lag behind other countries in terms of paid leave for parents; investment in childcare and early years education; supports for new parents; and basic public services for children.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Social Democrats believe that parents and families deserve better. That is why we would prioritise delivery of proper public services, particularly in education and healthcare, over tax cuts. Parents need ongoing, long-term supports while raising their children, not a few euro of their own money back or one-off measures designed to buy votes in the run up to an election.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr Jen Cummins said:<\/p>\n
\u201cParenting should be more than just about surviving week to week. Nor should parents have to endure ongoing battles to get their child the services they are entitled to.<\/p>\n
\u201cProperly supporting parents means allowing them to spend more time with their children; more help with the costs of raising a family; and more investment in their children\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is time for a new deal for families. This can only be achieved by putting parents and children at the heart of government policy.\u201d<\/p>\n