Labour puts end to child poverty at heart of its alternative budget proposals

Labour declared the eradication of child poverty its “historic mission” as the party outlined alternative budget proposals.

Party finance spokesman Ged Nash said 90,000 children in Ireland live in consistent poverty, a statistic he branded a “national disgrace”.

Labour’s proposed budget includes almost 240 million euro worth of measures aimed at tackling child poverty, including 176 million euro to increase the Qualified Child Payment for Social Welfare payments and recipients of Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) by 15 euro for children aged 12 and over, to 65 euro, and by 10 euro for children aged under 12, to 52 euro.

The alternative budget, titled an Ireland That Works for All, also proposes doubling the Christmas Child Benefit payment.

The party also proposes the creation of a dedicated departmental team to address child poverty and examine the feasibility of new Child Income Support Payment.

“Our plans propose a launch point for the eradication of child poverty, that should be our historic mission,” Mr Nash said at the launch of the document at party HQ in Dublin.

“90,000 Irish children live in consistent poverty. And that is a national disgrace.”

Labour’s alternative budget envisages a total package of just under seven billion euro, with around three billion euro worth of once off cost-of-living support measures.

The party would spend 90 million euro on an emergency fund to aid councils in converting vacant or derelict homes into usable accommodation to address rising homelessness lists.

Labour also wants to increase social welfare payments, by 15 euro from October rising to 27.50 euro on a phased basis through 2024.

A one-off 250 euro November fuel allowance payment is also included in the plan.

On the wider housing crisis, Labour advocates a 1.6 billion euro injection of capital funding to dramatically increase construction of social and affordable homes on public land, retrofit older homes and support measures to help renters.

On public sector pay, Labour would spent 1.3 billion euro funding a 5% wage rise, a measure that would include community, care and voluntary sector workers in state funded organisations.

The party would also increase the minimum wage by two euro to 13.30 and pay a living wage of 14.80 euro to public servants.

Mr Nash added: “We are at a crucial point in our country, yet I don’t believe this government is up to the task ahead.

“We’ve had an unprecedented number of industrial relations issues, workers struggling to keep the lights on and food on the table, and too many children with disabilities falling through the yawning gaps in our disability services.

“Labour has a vision for a better Ireland, an Ireland that works for all.

“An Ireland where when a child is sick, you can attend the doctor without fear of affordability.

“An Ireland where if you provide crucial care work to the State and communities, you will be paid fairly.

“An Ireland where everyone has a home.

“An Ireland where we slash inequality once and for all.”