Greens unveil childcare policy

Proposals to ease the childcare burden on families will be launched today by the Green Party.

Its initiatives, entitled A Commitment To Family And Community Support, will form part of a broader policy document to be launched in the New Year.

The party aims to introduce a refundable parenting tax credit for mothers or fathers who work at home.

It also wants to increase maternity leave from 18 to 26 weeks and allow free and universal pre-school education.

A “use it or lose it” paternal leave scheme is also envisaged.

The proposals will be launched in Dublin by equality spokesman Ciaran Cuffe, finance spokesman Dan Boyle and Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Bronwyn Maher.

The Greens are the third party in recent weeks to announce childcare policy ideas, after Labour and Fine Gael.

A substantial multi-annual childcare package is expected to be unveiled by the Government in next month’s Budget.