Paid parental leave, paid paternity leave and an extension of the early school year are some of the proposals being considered by Government.

International research shows that in the first year of a child's life, the best practice is to have a family member care for the child in their own home.

Under these new proposals - the details of which are contained in the Irish Independent - working parents could get 6 months paid leave in the first year after their child is born, in addition to maternity benefit.

There are also plans for an extension to the early school year and paid paternity leave which is expected to be taken up by over 45,000 parents a year.

Toby Wolfe is Policy and Research Officer at childcare advocacy group Start Strong: