Labour to propose Children’s Charter in general election

With a general election this side of Christmas more or less confirmed, the main parties have started to talk shop about policy.

Labour are the first out the trap and are proposing what they call a Children’s Charter.

The party is holding its Think-In in Malahide, and has outlined their proposal to fix childcare services in Ireland.

Party leader Ivana Bacik said, “with 4,401 children experiencing homelessness and over 230,000 children in Ireland living in material deprivation, we are now facing a crisis in how the state supports and protects children.”

“These statistics are a damning indictment of our public services failing children and we need decisive action, which is why Labour will propose a Children’s Charter.”

Labour’s charter calls for an end to child homelessness, delivering a children’s budget, increasing special education places in schools, making education “truly free” and ending waiting lists for disability services and therapies.

“The Charter will also include a commitment to ensure every child has access to early childhood education through a publicly funded childcare scheme. Labour has long called for a guarantee of an early years place for every child. We need a publicly funded, universal childcare system that supports working families and provides quality education in the crucial early years of a child’s development,” Bacik said.

She acknowledged that there has been some progress with free school books for primary and junior cycle students, but the Labour leader challenged the government to do more.

“We’re calling for a ban on so-called voluntary contributions and for free school books to be extended to senior cycle students. Education must be truly free in order to give every child a fair start.”

Bacik also outlined Labour’s plan to introduce a new DEIS Plus model to address the growing inequality in educational outcomes for children in the most disadvantaged areas.

“We need targeted investment in the most deprived communities through a bespoke DEIS Plus programme, ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

“The current waiting lists for essential disability services are simply unacceptable. We must ratify the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure that children with disabilities are not forced to wait years for critical therapies and support.”

“Every year, parents face the distress of not being able to secure appropriate school places for their children with special needs. Despite increased investment, the issue persists. We need better planning to ensure every child can access the education that meets their needs.”

The Dublin Bay South TD joined Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward in saying that the CAMHS service needs reform.

“We need to double staff numbers in the next five years to ensure no child is left waiting for vital mental health support,” she said

“It is unconscionable that some of our most vulnerable children are placed in unregulated care settings. Tusla must be properly resourced, both in terms of capital spending and staff numbers, to protect these children and ensure they are given the support they need.”

“While we welcome Government’s Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme within the Department of the Taoiseach, it must be expanded to fulfil its original goal of eradicating child poverty. Our Children’s Charter will outline the immediate steps needed to ensure a future where no child is left behind.

“Labour’s Children’s Charter will be an ambitious, child-centred vision for Ireland. We need urgent action to end child poverty, tackle homelessness, and guarantee a fair start for every child in this country. We cannot afford to fail another generation.”