Cowen misses chance to help parents

ICTU general secretary David Begg believes strongly that the budget was an opportunity lost by Finance Minister Brian Cowen to improve the lives of young children by not providing parents with adequate financial supports to allow them be with their offspring in the formative first years.

Twice in the last six months I have written to the minister for children expressing my concerns and, more importantly, the concerns of international experts regarding the appropriateness of group care for children under three years of age.

On both occasions I have received cordial Sir Humphrey-type responses not at all addressing the core issue.