Barnardos children’s charity is disappointed to see little done to support lower income and vulnerable families in Budget 2027. In the run up to Budget 2027 Taoiseach Micheál Martin stressed he wanted to provide all children with the opportunity to reach their potential and enjoy childhood, claiming child poverty and deprivation would be a priority issue for his Government and Budget 2027, and only a few months ago the Minister for Social Protection published new ambitious child poverty targets for 2030.
Barnardos Interim CEO Philip Watt said: “Despite the positive rhetoric over the past number of months, strong commitments and ambitious targets we are disappointed that they haven’t led to sufficient targeted measures and actions that would help children most at risk of going without essentials, pull them out of deprivation and get them the supports that they need when they need them.
“For too many years Barnardos has seen the devastating impact of poverty has on children, with more children being pulled into deprivation due to cost-of-living increases. Overall, the government has not gone far enough to support families on lowest incomes, to better ensure that children most at risk don’t live in cold and damp homes, struggle to have sufficient nutrition, appropriate clothing and access to vital services when they need it. If substantially reducing child poverty and deprivation is to be the Government’s North Star there is a considerable way to go
“Regarding childcare, the increased subsidy will significantly reduce costs for many families paying high fees. However, we need to see more detail to determine whether the measures will better support those community providers providing places for children experiencing the highest levels of disadvantage, who most benefit from early years care.
“Some measures are welcome such the substantial increase to the capitation grant to both primary and post primary schools.
“It is still to be seen if the Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan received the funding needed to provide immediate supports to children in emergency accommodation, reduce some of the harm and trauma they are facing and ultimately better ensure fewer end up there and those who do spend less time there.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Barnardos Asks to Government:
Budget 2027 must lift more children out of poverty and deprivation and provide them with a better opportunity to have a stable, predictable and nurturing family life. This requires:
- Targeted income supports for children most at risk of poverty
- Increased funding for Tusla, and voluntary and community sector organisations to ensure earlier access to services for families that need support
- Barnardos is seeking additional funding of €1.4 million to sustain its services at the current level, working directly with children who are vulnerable, experiencing disadvantage and at risk.
For further information, please contact:
Barnardos Press Office: 01 708 0442 / 086 044 5966
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Spokesperson available: Call or WhatsApp 086 044 5966
