A Catholic bishop has called on the Government to introduce "tax incentives that would encourage at least one parent to remain at home with babies and young children".
The Bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones, also criticised a lack of debate on the family in the recent general election campaign and social science courses which he said ignored the "spiritual dimension" of the person.
In an address to a Girls and Boys Town convention in Omaha, Nebraska, he said that in the recent Irish general election campaign he had never heard a politician speak about the family. The focus had been on the economy and on the health and education services.
He continued "Indeed in recent years a minister for finance created tax initiatives specifically geared to attracting both parents of young children into the world of work. It was good for the economy but not for young children or for their future as citizens of our country. The big appeal during the election was for more investment in creches and pre-schools so that both parents could be out at work all day."
He referred to a recent report which disclosed that in 2006 Irish taxpayers paid €25 million to keep 54 children in detention - "€500,000 per child".
After publication of this report there had been appeals to the Government to invest more money in the family at an early stage, which would "generate huge dividends in terms of ensuring healthier and happier families and therefore healthy and happy adults".
He added: "Surely the Government should introduce tax incentives that would encourage at least one parent to remain at home with babies and young children."