Measures ‘appalling’ for children of poor

By Evelyn Ring

“Just like his predecessor, Finance Minister Brian Cowen found it hard to get the word ‘childcare’ out of his mouth,” said Ms Byrne, who is also director of OPEN, the national network of lone parent groups.

She welcomed the crèche supplement U-turn but said it was only for those who desperately needed support.

“For other families living on a low income the minister has failed to deliver on childcare. It’s an okay budget for adults but an appalling one for children,” she added.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland policy manager, Orla O’Connor, said they plan a campaign next year to focus on publicly funded childcare. She said: “The thrust of the Budget was how to keep our economic growth sustainable but that’s not possible without a publicly funded childcare infrastructure.”

ICTU’s Paula Carey said they had sought a tax credit of at least €20 a week and tax relief of up to €50 weekly for parents using approved, receipted childcare.

“If we don’t deal with the affordability issue, we are not going to get any further in getting more women into the workforce,” she warned.