Labour Party proposes one year paid parental leave

PARENTS would be entitled to a year’s paid parental leave and an additional €50 a week for each child up to the age of three under childcare proposals unveiled by the Labour Party yesterday.

The plan, which the party estimates would cost €1.5 billion a year, would also give parents a legal right to up to three years’ career break and a weekly €25 payment for children from the age of three to 12.

Senator Kathleen O’Meara, the party’s childcare spokesperson also outlined measures to expand the number of childcare places, and further investment in community-based facilities with an emphasis on developing them at or near primary schools.