Zappone criticised for overlooking stay-at-home parents

A speech by the Children’s Minister during the launch of plans to overhaul childcare funding has been said to ignore “the reality of life for many families”.

Minister Katherine Zappone’s announcement of a 10-year plan to be handled by a new ‘Parenting and Family Unit Policy Unit’ in her department received criticism from Maria Steen of the Iona Institute, as the minister did not mention any supports for stay-at-home parents.

“In announcing a new Early Years Strategy last week, Minister Katherine Zappone [pictured] emphasised that her scheme aims to support families and parenting, yet nowhere is any support mentioned for parents who, for one reason or another, do not wish to have their children cared for in an institutional setting – seemingly the only model on offer from the Minister,” Mrs Steen told The Irish Catholic.

“When it comes to childcare, Minister Zappone is not pro-choice.”

Mrs Steen quoted CSO statistics released in 2016 that showed 70% of children aged 0-12 are cared for by their parents.

Out of this group 13% use childcare, which includes a crèche, Montessori, playgroup or after-school facility.

“Parents who wish to care for their children at home have to forgo earning opportunities to do so and are at a financial disadvantage compared with double income families,” Mrs Steen said.

“Yet the Minister talks about giving financial supports to all other families over single income families where one parent is at home caring for their own children. This is simply unfair and discriminatory.”

Minister Zappone mentioned there would be significant investment in childcare facilities and that there will be focus on providing information on the importance of play for children and developing positive relationships.