Published date: 15 Jan 2025

As the future of our country, children must get a slice of Apple Tax funds

Investment in our children and young people – the future of our country – has taken a backseat in the financial debate 

Statement by the Children’s Rights Alliance and Community Foundation Ireland

The Government is currently planning for how Ireland will spend the bonus billions arising from the Apple Tax case. However, the benefits of investing the funds in our children and young people have taken a backseat in the debate. As the future of our country, at least a slice of the Apple Tax funds should be ringfenced and invested in children and young people. Given the significant additional spend available, even a portion of this could reap huge benefits for young people today, and for future generations.

The Children’s Rights Alliance and Community Foundation Ireland are partnering on an event today (16.01.2025) to shift the narrative on this extraordinary opportunity with the Apple Tax funds to focus on how we can transform the trajectory of children and young people’s lives for generations to come.

Speaking ahead of the event, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance states:

“As we advocated for ambitious action in Budget 2025 to ramp up investment in children and young people, the final conclusion of the European Commission’s investigation unlocked the release of a staggering €13 billion of Apple Tax money for the Irish Exchequer. These funds completely eclipse the total spend in many of the key areas of children and young people’s lives and the public services that they engage in. Even a portion of these funds could have a transformational impact on their future. The Government has been gifted this unprecedented opportunity that should inspire innovative and ambitious thinking. However, discussions on how we can invest this in the future of our country – our children and young people – have taken a complete backseat in the debate.”

“We are currently grappling with considerable societal challenges – a spiralling housing crisis, a chronic shortage of places in early years and education. Investing in infrastructure needs to extend to educational settings. Every penny spent on education is well-spent and helps children reach their full potential while also nurturing the talent of our future workforce – the lifeblood of the economy.”

“We urge the Government to think beyond water supply and electricity grids and consider how investment on a large scale in areas like Education and Early Years infrastructure could accelerate efforts to break the cycle of poverty and broaden horizons for all children and young people, now and into the future.”

The event brings together leading experts from different fields as they outline their vision on how the government should invest these new funds and the outcomes that are possible if children and young people are considered as part of the debate. Speakers include Prof Alan Barrett (Director, ESRI), Dr Gráinne Collins (Policy Analyst, the National Economic Social Council) and Fintan O’Toole (Writer and Columnist, The Irish Times). The event will be chaired by Denise Charlton, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Ireland.

Commenting on the significance of the event, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added:

“Investing in our children – putting in place the facilities which give them opportunities to grow, to learn and to be creative is not only the right thing to do – it also makes economic sense. It underpins and guarantees our future in an uncertain world. For 25-years Community Foundation Ireland has recognised this need with much of grant-making since the year 2000 focussed on children and young people. Working with a network of 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners on a mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities, we have seen first-hand the difference investment in children and families can have, both in meeting immediate needs and delivering innovative solutions to societal issues that benefit entire communities. That is the mindset that should be driving all discussion on how this fund is spent.”

_ENDS_

Contact: Robyn Keleghan: [email protected] / 0858001275

Notes to Editors:

  • Tanya Ward, Children’s Rights Alliance is available for media interviews.
  • Denise Charlton, Community Foundation Ireland is available for media interviews.
  • Other speakers may be available on request.

About the Children’s Rights Alliance
Founded in 1995, the Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 160 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Further information is available at: childrensrights.ie or on Twitter, @ChildRightsIRL #InvestmentForGenerations

For media queries, please contact:

Emma Archbold

Campaigns and Communications Director