‘Parental leave plans will only work if radical childcare reforms included’

Potential plans to allow mothers double the amount of paid leave they receive after having a baby, and to receive extra weeks off if they split the time at home with their partner, will only improve child services if they are backed up by a series of other wide-ranging reforms.

Early Childhood Ireland chief executive, Teresa Heeney, took this stance after the Irish Examiner revealed the Government is considering major changes to parental leave in order to free up space in creches.

The moves would allow women to go back to work sooner if they so wish; and ensure the responsibility for a newborn child is more evenly shared between couples.