Article 41.2 of the Constitution which protects the role of mothers in the home should not be removed, carers’ organisation Cúram says in its submission to the Constitutional Convention.

The Convention is meeting this weekend to discuss Article 41.2.

In a statement, Cúram have said that Article 41.2 “underpins supports for parents and carers in the tax, social welfare and health systems and should not be weakened or removed”.

They said they would be addressing the Convention over the weekend.

In their submission to the Convention, Cúram say that they favour “continued constitutional recognition for their role, their work, and their contribution to the economy and society”.  

The submission says: “Article 41.2 represents a key instrument for supporting families in a variety of domains and situations and it forms the basis for legal, tax and social welfare provisions of benefit to parents and carers on a full- or part-time basis.  

“There are over half a million full-time parents and carers in Ireland, with many more Irish people giving care and providing related work on a part-time basis.”

The submission also notes that, despite recognition by a 2006 All-Party Oireachtas Committee of the value of unpaid family work, “recent budgets have increased taxes and cut payments to families with care responsibilities”.  

The submission cites figures from the Central Statistics Office which suggest that the total value of unpaid work in the home “equals 30pc-50pc of Gross Domestic Product, or between €47.7bn and €79.5bn”.

Cúram General Secretary Áine Uí Ghiollagáin said: “Parents and carers are now recognised and protected under article 41.2 of Bunreacht na hÉireann.”

“Cúram will be seeking stronger protections for parents and carers at the Convention.

“Article 41.2 underpins supports for parents and carers in the tax, social welfare and health systems and is cited in relevant court cases and judgements: it should not be weakened or removed.  

“Poverty continues to be an issue for many parents and carers, a majority of whom are women whose risk of poverty also increases as they age. The need better to support parents and carers was recognised by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution in 2006, but financial supports such as Child Benefit and the Carers’ Respite grant have been cut in Budget 2013.  

“These and other supports remain in the frame as government looks to continue to make savings.

“Cúram will continue to seek better recognition, supports and protection for parents and carers.”