Childcare and its costs are not the only issues that should be discussed when addressing children's issues, according to the Green Party, who today launched their 'six chapter' children's policy.
Childcare is an "integral component" the party said today but only one of many issues in a "multi-faceted debate".
The Green Party's contribution to the matter comes in under six objectives, which, should they form part of a government coalition, they will propose for implementation.
Improved Personal Wellbeing looks at medical facilities available for people under 25 and proposes "free and confidential" clinics for children and young adults, as piloted in Cork recently by the Youth Health Service.
The paper advises a shake up of the welfare structures in place for parents and suggests lengthening maternity benefit from 22 to 26 weeks, as well as increasing child benefit to €155.92 for the first two children, and €192.85 for any subsequent children.
Under the heading of Enhancing the Physical Environment, the party also recommends the improvement of recreational amenities for children, while in Tackling Social Disadvantage it proposes the raising of social welfare rates for one-parent families and the construction of 73,000 houses for people in need by 2012.
In Embracing Diversity the party calls on the government to ensure that children of all ethnic backgrounds are given equal access to amenities provided for them.
Finally, the party advocates listening to children and young people, some of whom were present in Temple Bar's Cultivate Centre this afternoon.
Launching the policy today, Green Party childcare spokesperson Cllr Bronwen Maher said: "The Green Party wants to see well planned communities offering a variety of quality childcare arrangements, access to school by foot and bicycle and quality recreational facilities for children and young adults.
"In Government, the Green Party will ensure that new residential developments are designed and planned to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. We will also ensure that 'Safer Routes to School' initiatives are rolled-out throughout the country.
Green Party spokesperson on Justice and Equality Ciarán Cuffe TD added that they are "strongly opposed to the recent introduction of Anti Social Behaviour Orders for children by the Minister for Justice.
"ASBOs will ultimately have a negative impact on the lives of our children and young people, just as they have in the UK," he said. "In Government, the Green Party will repeal the sections of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 pertaining to ASBOs and the Children Act 2001, and ensure that the Children's Act is fully implemented and resourced."