Ireland offers great opportunities for children - but the Government should offer more support, Lunchtime Live listeners have said.  

The Government is seeking to create a unit that will focus on reducing child poverty and preventing family homelessness. 

The Department will look at issues such as reducing the cost of education and education, expanding hot school meals and abolishing hospital charges for children.  

Parents feel safe raising their children in Ireland, according to conversations on Lunchtime Live today.  

Schoolteacher Helen said the Irish education system is “second to none”.  

“I'd have to commend all educators - preschool, primary and post-primary - and the curriculum they deliver,” she said.  

“Ireland is brilliant for the range of extracurricular activities that children are offered and can avail of.” 

Helen said Ireland could improve financial support from the Government for children and families.  

She said more parents both work full time than they did in the past, and more support is needed because of that.  

“I don't think the Government has caught up and maybe provided the support to help us,” she said.  

Helen said initiatives like hot meals are great for children and the Government should consider subsidising childcare more in the future.  

“I never expected such care” 

Ukrainian listener Natalie, who came to Ireland following the Russian invasion, told Lunchtime Live that she and her teenage son are “extremely happy”.  

“I never expected such care,” she said.  

Natalie said she feels like her son is safe in Ireland when they’re not together.  

“I need to work full-time, but at the same time I never felt any danger that my son isn’t safe in Ireland.” 

Natalie said it is easier to return to work as a parent in Ukraine because children start school younger.  

“In Ukraine, we used to get kids to kindergarten by age two,” she said.  

“Until five o'clock the kids are under the full care that we pay for.” 

“We pay for their food, we pay for extra lessons if the parents consider it will help them - like English or dancing.” 

“So much more opportunity” 

Father of three James said Ireland is a “fantastic country” to raise kids. 

“Kids today have so much more, so many more opportunities,” he said.  

“They have a better chance of going to college, they can travel a lot more. My kids have been all over the world.” 

James also said he does “dread” his children’s future in Ireland.  

“I do dread for my oldest when she does get to 18 or 19, if she does go on to college and what she’s facing.” 

James said it would be better if Ireland provided more public services.  

“We pay either the highest or the second highest taxes in Europe, and we don't get the services for what we pay,” he said.  

He said his family often host students from Denmark, where the Government pays students to study abroad for a year.  

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