The National Women's Council of Ireland yesterday appealed for maximum participation by men, women and children in the first march in demand of childcare provisions, to take place on Saturday, November 14th.
The march, from Parnell Square to the Dail, is an initial demonstration in what is planned as a national campaign on child care announced by Ms Noreen Byrne, chairwoman of the council, at the organisation's annual conference.
Under the slogan "Child Care: Every Day is Mother's Day", the campaign will focus on four demands: tax relief for parents, support for child-care providers, increased child-care benefits and free or subsidised child care for families living in poverty.
Ms Byrne said the council, as a participant in the Expert Working Group on Child Care set up under the auspices of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, had devoted considerable time to developing a strategy on child care.
The issue was complex, she said, and had to take into account the needs of children, mothers who choose paid employment and those who stay at home, fathers and the providers of child care.
Women were still the primary care-givers, but this responsibility should be shared between parents, the State and employers, Ms Byrne said. "The lack of quality and affordable child care remains one of the greatest barriers to women in fulfilling their educational, employment and personal development."
More than 200 delegates are attending the two-day conference in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Co Kildare, which this year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the council's formation.