The Taoiseach says he would find it "quite incredible" that anyone would be forced to give up work and stay at home as part of an insolvency settlement.

It follows reports banks would demand where the second income in a home was less than the cost of childcare that a parent would stay at home to mind the children.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Meath-East this afternoon Enda Kenny says he would not agree with such a measure.

"This is a country where the government is unashamedly focused on making arrangements for an atmosphere and an environment where jobs can be created" he said.

"People have a right to work, people have a right to earn money to raise their families in the best way possible".

"I would find it quite incredible that somebody would say (that) you are required to give up work in order to meet these charges" he added.

FF calls for change in power balance

Meanwhile Fianna Fail says banks will be allowed to act as "judge, jury and executioner" in cases of those seeking debt deals.

The party is proposing the establishment of an "independent mortgage resolution office" within the Personal Insolvency Service which can apply a series of measures including permanent interest rate reductions, longer payment terms or in some limited circumstances debt write downs.

Fianna Fail finance spokesperson Michael McGrath says the balance of power needs to be removed from the banks.

"We are seeking to day to put the borrowers back in the driving seat" he said. "At the moment, outside of the personal insolvency service, if a borrower and a banker (are) negotiating the bank is judge, jury and executioner".

"Within the personal insolvency service, the bank - effectively the holder of the mortgage - retains a veto, despite what the govenrment is saying" he added.