Who will advocate a ‘families first’ policy?

DAVID CAMERON, Tory Leader and a jolly good bet to be British prime minister reasonably soon, had some interesting things to say recently while commenting on the UNICEF report entitled Child Wellbeing in Rich Countries.

He promised that a straightforward principle guiding his policymaking from now on would be — does it help families?

“So, for instance, if it comes to a collision between our wealth as a nation and the wellbeing of families, I choose families”.

Currently in Ireland tax equalisation discriminates against single-income families.

Parents who stay at home to mind their children are penalised.

Latest research indicates that children up to age three who are cared for by a parent mature better emotionally, socially and in behavioural terms.

Is there any political leader here courageous enough to put the best interests of children at the top of his political agenda?

In Sweden, there was high quality, heavily subsidised childcare especially in the 1970s and ‘80s, but in the early ‘90s parental leave was increased and now there is remarkably little use of childcare services for children under 18 months. Parents voted with their feet.

We need to do the same in Ireland, but we require politicians with the foresight to put the interests of children first.

Jim Jackman

16 Park Drive Court

Castleknock

Dublin 15