Budget 2007 - Big money, no vision

Published: Tuesday, December 05, 2006

The National Womens Council of Ireland reacted with dismay to the measures announced in Budget 2007 that affect women with high childcare costs and women in the social welfare system.

This budget does nothing to advance womens equality, nor does it alleviate the economic burden of childcare for young families, despite the Ministers claims to the contrary said Dr Joanna McMinn, Director NWCI.

In January 2007 childcare will not be any cheaper. Families will still be obliged to pay on average 800 per month per child, which for 2 children is roughly equal to a monthly average industrial wage after taxes. she said.

Families with 2 children will receive 5,780 per annum including child benefit. Child benefit is intended to prevent child poverty; it is being used here to subsidise childcare costs said Dr McMinn. The 1,000 that the minister has allocated to the Early Childcare Supplement barely covers one months childcare for one child.

The Minister could have invested in a long-term childcare package, which would substantially have reduced the childcare costs to parents and put Ireland on a par with other European countries.

Orla OConnor, NWCI Head of Policy, said This budget will perpetuate the inequality that women experience in the social welfare system; in 2007 women will still be relying on their husbands for their own payments. The government has continually promised to reverse this situation, but this budget fails to honour these promises. The minimal increase for the non contributory pension will mean that older women will still be at risk of poverty, she continued.

Given the surplus that the government had to spend, Budget 2007 falls far short or womens and societys needs.