John Bruton
Ceist:58 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government is taking steps to give effect to Article 41.2.2° of the Constitution. [11625/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 5 May 2004
Ceisteanna (64)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government has instituted a number of measures that support the right of women to work in the home. These include the home carer's tax credit, child benefit and the homemakers scheme. The home carer's tax allowance, now a tax credit, was introduced in the Finance Act 2000 in respect of those spouses of married one income families, jointly assessed, who work in the home caring for certain dependent persons, including children. The maximum home carer's tax credit for the current tax year is €770.
Over the period since 1997, the monthly rates of child benefit have increased by €93.51 at the lower rate and €115.78 at the higher rate, increases of 246% and 234%, respectively, compared with inflation of 26.9%. This level of increase is unprecedented and delivers on the Government's objective of providing support for children generally while offering real choice to all parents. Child benefit is paid to mothers and is not means-tested.
The homemakers scheme, introduced in 1994, is intended to protect the pension entitlements of those who take time out of the paid workforce for caring duties. My Department has allocated a grant of €7,260 to the organisation, Women In The Home, WITH, for development activities. The aims of WITH are to provide support and a forum for women working in the home through which they can have a voice and influence society.
Government policy in relation to the position of women generally is guided by the provisions of the EU treaties in relation to non-discrimination and equality of opportunity. Furthermore, the Government is committed to facilitating women who wish to avail of education and employment opportunities while allowing them at the same time to reconcile work and family commitments. To this end, legislative provision has been made for maternity leave, adoptive leave, parental leave, carer's leave and part-time work. In addition, a national framework committee on work-life balance at the level of the enterprise has been established under Sustaining Progress.
The Government has also supported a number of initiatives aimed at assisting women who wish to return to the workforce after their children have been reared. My Department is supporting the FÁS, Gateways for Women, initiative which is specifically targeted at these women.
In conclusion, the Government is providing significant resources to support mothers who wish to care for their children in the home, while also supporting the significant number of women who wish to work in either a full-time or part-time basis.