Sinn Féin spokesperson on Children, Kathleen Funchion TD, has called for Budget 2024 to invest in children’s futures.
She made the comments as she published the party’s Alternative Budget proposals for children.
The document outlines Sinn Féin’s vision for a fairer and more equitable future for all children through a range of measures across health, education, early years, social protection, mental health and disability.
Teachta Funchion said:
“Sinn Féin believe Budget 2024 is an important opportunity to invest in children’s futures by delivering high-quality services and cutting costs for families. We are proposing €1 billion in new measures for children in 2024.
“This is an important investment in children’s futures that would transform families’ lives.
“Families are under huge pressure from the cost of living crisis. They need to see childcare fees cut to affordable levels. Sinn Féin would cut childcare fees by more than half.
“We also need to invest in services for children and young people. Vulnerable children are being sentenced to a life of consistent poverty, without adequate housing, fair access to healthcare, including mental health supports, and therapeutic services.
“We are also proposing important increases to existing budgets across education, social protection, disability, health and mental health to invest in these crucial services.
“The wide-ranging package includes proposals to improve supports for vulnerable children and families at risk of homelessness, poverty and deprivation; €271.3 million for targeted social protection measures; €287.5 million for investment across GPs, pharmacies, and community healthcare; €45.8 million for children and youth mental health services; €201.7 million on early years education and childcare; €99.7 million to tackle educational disadvantage; €31.6 million to empower children with a disability and €31 million to address training, recruitment and retention in fields such as health and social care.
“A Sinn Féin government would invest in our children’s future and target funding to ensure that all children have the opportunities they deserve to flourish.”
Sinn Féin’s ‘Investing In Children’s Futures in Budget 2024’ is available to view here: https://mcusercontent.com/ffc5ff2fa2294c89d2ff7598e/files/6a20dce4-3486-3836-87be-6eb478315909/Investing_In_Children_s_Futures_Budget.pdf
