Questions from parents to candidates?

lynski

What, if any, are the specific questions we should be asking canvassers/politicians as parents?
Off the top of my head:
I would like a guarantee that the ECCE scheme will continue.
I would like a maximum class size for primary schools.
I would like to see the children's referendum passed.
No further cuts to child benefit, but I am in favor of means testing (personal opinion and controversial I know)
I would like to see an improvement in parents rights, with more equality for fathers.

I have other questions as a rural, atheist parent involved in some community groups, but does anyone have anything else?

cynder

We have put up a no canvasing sign on our door, I dont want to listen to endless lies or false promises on the door step, its a waste of my time .

James Jones

lynski wrote: »

I would like to see the children's referendum passed.
?

That's a funny thing to seek as no-one even knows the proposed wording on this referendum. Regardless, it will most likely lead to more state interference in the life of your family.

I will be asking them all on their views on the recent proposals by the Law Reform Commission which recommend automatic guardianship to unmarried fathers. The recommendations are politically correct as they propose granting the same rights to both married and unmarried fathers but they have been quite clever in proposing the dilution of the current rights of married fathers.
Those who agree to vote against these proposals, in writing, will get my vote.

byhookorbycrook

Will they ensure SNAs will be provided to the children who need them?
Will they fund primary schools PROPERLY so that parents don't have to pay bigger and bigger "contributions"?

Lady Chatterton

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Will they ensure SNAs will be provided to the children who need them?
Will they fund primary schools PROPERLY so that parents don't have to pay bigger and bigger "contributions"?

The SNA issue (the lack of them) really really upsets me. It seems so unjust to be living in a country that has bailed out bankers and left children with special needs without proper resources. These children are being robbed of a future, it is a very short sighted plan as it will cost the State more money if these children have to be institutionalized in later life.

Is it too much to ask that a child be educated with his/her siblings and within their own community, is it?

Lady Chatterton

grindelwald wrote: »

We have put up a no canvasing sign on our door, I dont want to listen to endless lies or false promises on the door step, its a waste of my time .

I'm with you on this, I couldn't be listening to rubbish.

I'm reading the newspapers and following the election coverage on radio and TV so I don't feel I'm missing out. I have to tell you that there have been a couple of brave canvassers that have ignored the sign and knocked at the door anyway.

common sense brigade

I would like state run creches for working mothers in place of child benefit.
child benefit payment then should be for only stay at home mothers.
cost of childcare is crazy.
want to know if any party is going to lower social contribution fund and tax, as its way too high. my monthly wage down 110 this month and i only earn 25k a year.
want to know if any party is going to reinstate the minimum wage
Want maternity leave to be able to be jointly split between father and mothers should they wish to do so.
Mothers should be legally obliged to name father of their child on birthcert. and fined if they fail to do so.

Cat Melodeon

common sense brigade wrote: »

Mothers should be legally obliged to name father of their child on birthcert. and fined if they fail to do so.

"...with jail terms for those awful awful women who caught on a one-night stand."

I know where you're coming from, but don't think punishing the mothers is the way forward. Why should the men go scot-free?

Nevyn

Free contraception for anyone under the age of 25 I reckon would go along way to preventing a lot unexpected pregnancies.

common sense brigade

"...with jail terms for those awful awful women who caught on a one-night stand."

i never said a jail term. of course if a woman is so drunk she cant remember the mans name fair enough. but if she knows his name why not have him on birthcert? not as a punishment. just cos the child deserves to have their fathers name on the birthcert. and the father sshould be made pay maintenance not the taxpayer. naming men on birth certs would stop alot of social welfare fraud.

common sense brigade

"...with jail terms for those awful awful women who caught on a one-night stand."

i never said this.
if a woman knows the father she should have to name him on birthcert. why not? its a childs right to know who their father is.
if a woman got drunk and cant remember then of course nothing she can do. but in alot of cases women dont put the dad on the cert so they can get lone parents. that is wrong.

Moonbeam

Having the fathers name on the birthcert does not make much of a difference for lone parents allowance.


I would like to know the candidates views on tax for cohabiting but non married couples with kids,a child tax credit,tax relief on creche fees,a secular education system,public transport,the irish language as it is currently taught in schools,class sizes,the hse.
off hand that is all I can think of!

Dades

lynski wrote: »

No further cuts to child benefit, but I am in favor of means testing (personal opinion and controversial I know)

Depends on the "means" they use to test. It would have to be a sliding scale or people would be discouraged from working if they lost the whole lot.

Will be, along with (non) religious discrimination in schools, my main questions.

mariebeth

I'm not a parent, but I work in the childcare sector and I would love to see the government put more funding in to creches, in order to decrease the cost to parents but also raise the wages for staff. The wages staff get paid in creches are a joke when you think of how important the job is.

I'm currently doing work experience in a special needs school and I agree with one of the posters above who said that she will be raising the question about SNA's, it's such a vital role in schools for children to be given the best education that they can.

John Mason

lynski wrote: »

I would like a guarantee that the ECCE scheme will continue.

i would also want them make a solid commitment the CET's and CCS schemes will continue.

NextSteps

I'll be asking about paternity leave entitlements.

Knine

I asked why my child is waiting over a year to see a specialist and Ive now decided my only option is to go overseas where I had an appointment within a week of contacting the hospital.

Shame on this country:mad: You see I'm not worried about children's allowance or one night stands. When you have a child who isnt healthy your priorties are far far different.

Needless to say the canvassor couldnt get away from my hall door quick enough.:rolleyes: