Press Releases

Published date: 12 Oct 2021

Some relief for families in Budget 2022 but more could have been done for the poorest children

New measures to help families to keep their heads above water are welcome but a more joined-up approach is needed to make inroads in tackling child poverty. That’s according to the Children’s Rights Alliance, who were commenting today (12.10.21) in response to the announcement of Budget 2022.

Speaking today, Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: “We welcome today’s Budget announcements which includes some important measures for children, young people and their families. The €4m allocation to the hot school meals programme is welcome as we know that children do better in school when they have a hot meal. We know that the €10 increase in the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will help parents with high school costs and we particularly note that more lone parents will be able to access this vital support.

“In particular, we welcome the record €716m investment in the early years sector which is significant and will go a long way in helping to improve quality and sustainability in the sector which can only be a good thing for young children. It is positive that the proposed changes to the National Childcare Scheme will unlock access to childcare for up to 5000 of our most disadvantaged children and young people.

“The additional €10.5m for Garda operations including for the Garda National Protective Services Bureau is an important investment in terms of online safety. We note the announcement of €5.5m for the proposed Media Commission but we are concerned that it will fall far short of the resources required to tackle the growing area of online safety as well as ensuring it can carry out all of its other functions.

“However, while the €5 increase to core adult social welfare rates is welcome, older children living in poverty have been overlooked. An extra €3 a week won’t even cover their lunch for a day, especially with the cost of living on the rise.

“Budget 2022 contains clear measures that will address child poverty particularly when it comes to education, health and nutrition. Child poverty is on the rise in Ireland, and it has no doubt been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The impact of school closures, the curtailment of services and parental unemployment will have a major impact on a generation of young people. We need the Government to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and ensure there is a joined-up approach to tackling child poverty. We need a driver within government to deliver an ambitious national child poverty action plan. We called on the Government to invest €3.5m in an interdepartmental unit to do this.

“While Budget 2022 does not go far enough to reduce the numbers of children living in poverty, it is a good start. We have an opportunity now to build on these measures given we have to provide a national child poverty action plan to the EU in March 2022. We need to see more ambition from Government to ensure that every child can have a decent childhood.”

ENDS

Contact: Ciarán Garrett / Emily Brennan, Alice PR & Events, Tel: 087-7158912 / 086-1658629 Email: [email protected].

Note to Editors:
• Tanya Ward is available for media interview.
• A copy of the Children’s Rights Alliance Pre-Budget 2022 submission is here.

About the Children’s Rights Alliance
Founded in 1995, the Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Further information is available at: www.childrensrights.ie or on Twitter, @ChildRightsIRL.