The Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has said parents should have the option of staying at home for the first year of their child’s life.
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland programme, Ms Zappone said although the option is not currently feasible – it should become a possibility under the Government’s ‘First Five’ scheme which aims to cover costs of young children in their early years.
Ms Zappone who was speaking about the launch of the scheme also said that both the departments of Justice and Social Protection are committed to providing initiatives for children up to the age of five.
Under the new scheme parents of newborns will be able to avail of up to seven weeks paternity leave by 2021.
Although Ms Zappone agreed that the increase in leave is minimal, she said it is a significant step considering the government’s overall ten year plan.
The Children’s Minister added that other initiatives will be implemented under the plan including baby boxes and book bags.
It is believed that the government are also committed to introducing a DEIS model of early child learning which will provide support for learning costs in a child’s early years.
The plan which is being created to tackle childhood poverty, will also see a hot meals system being introduced at primary schools across the country.