‘A lot more is needed’

FOR hundreds of thousands of working mothers like Miriam Flahive, the Book of Estimates did little to address childcare issues.

Miriam, a full-time working mum, has a four-and-half year old son, Jack, and this year again, she was hoping there might be some recognition of working parents’ plight.

But whatever concessions the Government plans, Finance Minister Brian Cowen gave very little away yesterday. Over €100 million was promised yesterday in the Estimates by the Department of Justice for the Equal Opportunities Programme which provides more childcare places for disadvantaged areas and grants for private childcare providers. It was also signalled that children’s allowance would increase.