‘Giving with one hand; taking away with the other’  Mixed Reaction to Supplementary Budget from NWCI

Published: Monday, April 06, 2009

"The National Women's Council of Ireland welcomes the announcement of a 'free early childcare and education year' for all pre-school aged children, but remains extremely concerned at the targeting of child benefit for means testing or taxation" stated Orla O'Connor, Acting Director of the NWCI. .

"Over the past number of years the NWCI and women's groups throughout Ireland have been highlighting the appalling gap in Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland. The Minister's announcement of a free pre-school place for one year for every child in Ireland is an important step in addressing the Irish childcare crisis in particular for families living in poverty. However, the manner in which the scheme will be implemented remains unclear, given the poor childcare infrastructure currently in place, particularly in rural areas" she continued.

The NWCI in addition called on the Minister to reverse his decision to means test or tax child benefit as a universal payment until such time as there is a fully subsidised quality childcare infrastructure in Ireland.

The NWCI expressed its disappointment at the unnecessary inclusion of those on the minimum wage into the tax net. "We believe that the targeting of those on minimum wage could have been avoided had a more graded approach been taken to the income levy" concluded Ms O'Connor.

The NWCI awaits with concern the detail of further cuts to public expenditure and the impact on women's organisations in the Community &Voluntary Sector.