Róisín Shortall
Question:35 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the way in which he will respond to the Childcare 2000 proposals; and his views on the parental child care payment proposal. [23612/99]
Written Answers. - Child Support.
I have examined with interest the budget proposals advanced by the Childcare 2000 campaign. The Government will take careful account of these proposals in developing the range of measures required to tackle the complex issues associated with childcare and child income support generally.
While the list of measures advanced by the campaign includes, amongst other things, proposals for substantial investment in the provision of childcare facilities, the most significant measure they propose is the introduction of a new parent's childcare payment at an estimated net cost of £402 million.
The campaign proposes that this new payment, which would be liable to taxation, would be payable to all parents regardless of labour force status. The campaign recommends that the payment should be payable at the rate of £20 per week per child aged up to five years of age and at the rate of £10 per week per child aged from six to 14 years of age.
I appreciate that the intention behind this proposal is to provide for an equitable means of meeting the childcare needs of all families. I am bound to say, however, that I have some misgivings about the impact, in particular on those families on the lowest incomes and who are dependent on welfare support, of the reduction in the rate of payment proposed when the child reaches the age of six and the complete withdrawal of the payment once the child reaches the age of 14.
The need for a comprehensive approach to the issues of childcare and child income support is recognised on all sides of the House and the Government is examining all of the options available in the context of the forthcoming budget.