NWCI welcomes investment in Early Years in Budget 2020

Published: Wednesday, October 09, 2019

In response to the Budget 2020 announcement by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today welcomed the €54 million investment, which is largely targeted at those on lowest incomes to access Early Years Care and Education. NWCI is disappointed to see that funding for frontline domestic and sexual violence services remains static given the recent increase in demand for these services.

Early Years Care and Education

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI,

“We welcome the increased investment into Early Years Care and Education under the National Childcare Scheme. The extension of 1 year until August 2021 for lone parents and other families to continue to stay on existing schemes is welcome and will give the opportunity of assessing the long term financial impact on families of the new National Childcare Scheme.”

“We also welcome that additional families and children will now receive subsidies for the first time or receive increased subsidies. This is critical for recognising the diverse needs and working patterns of families today. Widening access to children with disabilities to the ECCE is also very positive to see.”

“We welcome the Minister’s announcement of a fund to support the introduction of a sectorial employment order for childcare workers, who are predominately women, underpaid in precarious work.

All of these measures bring us closer to a comprehensive public mode of Early Years Care and Education which is critical for women, children and families.”

Tusla

 Orla O’Connor said,

“Given the increasing demand for frontline services to tackle domestic and sexual violence, it is disappointing to see funding remaining static. Ireland will be unable to meet its requirements under the Istanbul Convention unless there is a significant increase in investment across all of the relevant departments.”

Ends/

For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Head of Communications, Tel.  085 858 9104, silkep@nwci.ie