One of the Island's leading family advocacy groups has welcomed the announcement in the Throne Speech that Government will make good on its promise to provide free childcare for families.

The Family Centre lauded Government's plans for the scheme which the Progressive Labour Party put in its election platform to help financially struggling families.

And the charity's executive director, Martha Dismont, said: "I have actually attended a meeting at the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, along with colleagues in the field, where we were asked to provide feedback on this Government initiative.

"I was very pleased that Government was seeking consultation. It was very clear from the meeting that Government was seeking specific feedback on the criteria that should be in place for offering this free child care."

However, details as to Government's criteria for determining who will qualify under the programme remain unclear.

The speech, read by Governor Sir Richard Gozney, included: "Many countries around the world provide some form of allowance to qualified families to offset the cost of child care services, which can be significant for families with young children.

"In order to strengthen families and relieve many parents of this heavy financial burden, to enable them to more fully participate in the workplace, and to encourage parents to commit more of their earnings towards savings for their children's future, this Government will provide free child care services for children up to the age of four years.

"Sound criteria for provision of child care services will be established, and a simple mechanism introduced to make it easy for qualified families to benefit from the programme. It is envisaged that the introduction of this programme will contribute toward stable family life and the proper raising of children in supportive environments."

Mrs. Dismont said if implemented correctly, the scheme has the potential to really help those in need of it: "In regard to the overall initiative, I am very pleased to see Government reaching out to help families in need. This type of initiative can be very costly and needs careful consideration so that it has the impact desired. The worst thing would be to put something in place with the right intent, but through lack of the right considerations, cause greater problems at the other end.

"Getting the criteria right is critical, and along with any other initiatives coming along, we must ensure that it does not become a crutch for parents.

"Similar to what is truly needed to reduce the increase in drug use ¿ get to the core of the problem rather than build more treatment facilities, I believe we need to address the high cost of living on this island rather than have to continue to subsidise families.

"There is a level at which we all have a sense of pride about what we should be able to own, earn as honest wage earners, and achieve in one's own country.

"If the costs for housing, gas, food, electricity, licenses, etc. continue to escalate, no manner of subsidy will be able to support the level of need that will exist, not just for low income families but also for middle income families who are also struggling to make ends meet. For, now, families really need the support and I applaud Government for starting somewhere."