Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has said he thinks that parents who wish to stay at home to raise their children during their early years should be assisted in that choice through tax measures.
Speaking to reporters outside Leinster House yesterday ahead of a Cabinet meeting, the Fine Gael Minister said that the state should facilitate people in making that choice.
Burke stated that female participation in the labour force has increased significantly in recent years.
“Absolutely, I think you should have choice,” Burke said.
“First of all, I would say female utilisation in the labour force, people coming into it has increased significantly over the last number of years”.
He suggested that the tax code could be used to support parents who wish to stay at home.
“But obviously, choice is key, and I think we’ve a lot of things to do in that regard to support people through the tax code and to ensure that people have that option,” he continued.
“I know it’s very difficult and not everyone will have that option. And if people do, it is a huge benefit, but also it’s important to ensure that people have opportunities in the workforce”.
The Minister expressed pride in the rise of post-pandemic hybrid work models, noting they suit family life.
“And I’m very proud of the fact that, you know, female participation in the workforce has increased significantly, particularly post-pandemic when you have remote working, other alternatives where people can have hybrid models that suit family life,” Burke remarked.
“And I know from my own town in Mullingar, people get so much more for family life considering if they have to go to the office two days out of the week and work from home five days a week”.
He added that this change in working patterns has improved family life significantly for many people.
“That improves family life hugely,” he said.
“So anything we can do to help, we will do”.
When asked if tax individualisation should be reconsidered to assist parents, Burke said he did not want to “stray” into the remit of the Minister for Finance.
“Well, that’s an area for the Minister for Finance so I don’t want to stray into his area this early in the morning,” Burke claimed.
The comments follow an exchange last week with Minister for Children Norma Foley on the same issue, wherein the Fianna Fáil Minister was non-committal on the question.