WORKING parents are demanding tax relief on child minding costs. Yesterday, the National Children's Nurseries Association (NCNA) met TDs and senators to press its case for tax relief parity with workers whose elderly relatives are eared for in nursing homes.
Nurseries should be given Government funding to meet new regulations governing the running of child care facilities, Ms Deirdre Doyle of the association said. The regulations, due to be implemented in August, govern standards in creches and other preschool services, such as teacher/ child ratios.
The NCNA told the group of about 30 politicians it was concerned that many of its members would be unable to meet the new requirements by the autumn without Government grants. It is also concerned that a lack of funding could drive some nurseries and creches back into the black economy. If implemented correctly, the new regulations could create jobs, the group says.
"All parents should be able to afford to put their children in quality child care and we should not have a situation like that in the North and England where it is seen as a luxury," Ms Doyle said.
The NCNA sets its own regulations for its 300 members and has produced a booklet advising parents seeking child care facilities.
Among those attending yesterday's meeting were the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan Dr Michael Woods (FF), Ms Frances Fitzgerald (FG), Ms Helen Keogh (PD), Mrs Ma ire Geoghegan Quinn (FF), and Mr Eric Byrne (DL). The meeting is part of the group's campaign, "Valuing Childcare 1996" which aims to focus attention on the need for quality childcare.