New measure.
Ben Scallan reacts to a “crazy” clip from 2020 of Mary Lou McDonald getting mocked for suggesting that part of the long-term solution to the pensions timebomb is to allow people to have more children.
Asked if Ireland should pursue pro-natalist policies to raise birthrates, Paschal Donohoe says people’s number of children is “a choice for families”, while Chief Economist John McCarthy says “Pro-natalist policies have been shown to have virtually no impact” in other countries.
Demographic decline.
Asked if he is interested in increasing birthrates to combat Ireland’s ageing population
If you want grandkids some day, maybe start taking the kids to weekly mass and at least pretend to believe yourself.
“It hasn’t been raised with me so far.”
“We still have a population that’s growing”: Ben Scallan asked if the Irish government plans to promote bigger families. Minister Paschal Donohoe said that such measures aren’t being discussed, adding: “I’m not sure they’re as needed in Ireland as they are in other countries.”
Ageing population.
“I understand economically it is tough.”
A growing threat.
“Demand for infant nutrition products in the Greater China region.”