Budget 2005 : Half measures & missed opportunities

Published: Tuesday, November 30, 2004

''Budget 2005 has clearly failed children and parents by ignoring the childcare crisis in Ireland today'' declared Therese Murphy, NWCI Chairperson this evening. The NWCI is bitterly disappointed that there has been no announcement in today's Budget to alleviate the high costs of childcare to parents.

''The Child Benefit increases of €10 per month for the 1st and 2nd child and €12 per month for the 3rd and subsequent child are the lowest of social welfare increases in this Budget and fail to meet the Government's own targets'' she continued. ''The Minister repeatedly referred to the need to sustain Ireland's economic growth, the NWCI asks the Minister how will this be possible without a childcare infrastructure?''

The NWCI believe Budget 2005 to be one of half measures. ''Clearly there are welcome measures in relation to social welfare increases and removing minimum wage earners from the tax net.
The roll back on the social welfare cuts introduced in Budget 2005 is also welcomed by the NWCI, particularly in relation to rent supplement and emergency crèche payments. ''On balance this budget is a missed opportunity in meeting the needs of women and children'' Ms Murphy stated.

''In delivering his Budget speech today, Minster Cowen referred to this budget being a 'budget for the Irish people as a whole'. He continued by saying that the budget must 'help those most in need' and 'address the needs of all our people' - the NWCI, would this evening, ask Minister Cowen, where do the needs of women and children caught in the poverty trap come into this?'' Ms Murphy concluded.