The State raising our kids is not a solution

Sir — Conor Skehan’s

‘holistic vision’ of childcare is absurd (‘Daring to change how we care for our children could revolutionise all lives’, July 26). On the one hand, he claims it would be “without guilt or cost”. On the other hand, it would be “fantastically expensive”.

I reckon a 70pc tax rate would fall short.

State provision of childcare from birth to 16 years to include ferrying children to creche, school, sports and play activities? So, the State will rear the kids, leaving the ‘pleasurable’ bits of rising with them at 7am and tucking them in at 7pm to parents. Thus, parents are enabled to “advance further and faster in the workforce”.

He states that “quality of life would improve for all”. Well, a six-month-old baby is not in a position to argue that one.

Child-rearing is the most important and challenging work in the world. The Government will subsidise anyone except parents to do it. It is not about changing nappies, feeding and a tidy house. It is about the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of the child, providing attention, empathy, love and security.

Instead of subsidising private enterprise, why not give a childcare allowance directly to parents so they can make their own choices.

Fifty-year-old grannies too can make their own choices. Babies can’t.

Maria Slones,

Glanmire, Co Cork