Katherine Zappone says parents should be able to stay home during ‘crucial first year of child’s life’

The Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone was on Morning Ireland to talk about new government initiatives.

Minister Zappone spoke to Bryan Dobson earlier today regarding new family strategies the government intend to implement over the course of the next few years. Perhaps one of the most progressive mentioned was Zappone's opinion that parents should be given the opportunity to remain home during their child's first year if they wish to do so. The first step in this ten-year initiative is to provide up to seven weeks' paid parental leave for both parents by 2021.

#First5 provides a framework of Goals, Objectives, Building Blocks and Strategic Actions to enhance young children’s experiences and outcomes @KZapponeTD @merrionstreet pic.twitter.com/iWWwVGMN31

— DCYA Press Office (@DCYAPress) November 19, 2018

Ms Zappone said that she believes this strategy "has the potential to be ground-breaking." The new proposals are in conjunction with a number of other plans Fine Gael are putting in place to facilitate further support to families. Ms Zappone said the ten-year strategy was committed to reducing child poverty, including the introduction of a DEIS-style model of early child learning and care to help the one in nine children, an estimated 139,000 who are living in consistent poverty and massively suffering as a result. The new roadmap to provide better environments for children's early years will also pilot family and child early health centres throughout the country which will offer services for children's health and wellbeing that will happen in one place.

PRESS: #First5 sets out a vision for early childhood in Ireland – and provides a roadmap to achieve that vision @KZapponeTD @merrionstreet pic.twitter.com/NS70ZysXQq

— DCYA Press Office (@DCYAPress) November 19, 2018

In an attempt to alleviate child hunger, she added that hot meals would be introduced in all DEIS primary schools as part of the strategy. Other initiatives will be rolled out for children's first years, including baby boxes with clothing and other necessities and book bags, to assist children's learning. The proposed policies will hopefully offer further support to families.