The lack of a "proper" tax allowance for dependent children has been criticised by the founder of Women in the Home, Mrs Norah Gilligan. She said this took away from women "the real choice to remain at home to bring up children or to look after dependent family members".
Mrs Gilligan was speaking after receiving the 1996 Family Award at the a.g.m. of Family Solidarity in Blackrock, Co Dublin. Family Solidarity said the award was "made to honour the work of Women in the Home for their struggle for recognition and respect for the work of women at home".