Childcare an Issue in Ireland Elections

The issue of quality childcare and support for stay-at-home parents has apparently become more prominent in the political arena, at least in Ireland.

Parents rate childcare in the top three issues driving their voting intentions in the next general election.

The findings are remarkable in that working parents struggling to meet childcare costs recognise that stay-at-home parents are equally in need of financial support. In all, 84% of households where both parents work favour a State payment to stay-at-home parents.

Likewise, nine out of 10 households where at least one parent is at home believe the Government should provide tax relief to working parents who pay for childcare.

Winds of change may be on the way for Irish stay-at-home parents.

More statistics from the same study:

A paltry one-in-four women return to full-time work once they have a family. The majority of new mothers opt to become full-time parents or work reduced hours. Full-time parenting is seen as the ideal childcare arrangement by the majority.

[Source: Irish Examiner]