Funded parental leave makes economic sense

THE issue of availability of childcare places was high on the political agenda during the recent by-elections in Meath and North Kildare.

This is to be welcomed and, hopefully, announcements on an increase in the number of regulated childcare places will be an integral part of a national plan.

The OECD Thematic Review of Early Childhood Education and Care Policy in Ireland (2004) contains a number of imaginative recommendations which, if implemented, would offer support to children and their families and bring Ireland into line with many other European countries.