THE children’s
charity, Barnardos, has appealed to Southsiders to support a new campaign to
protect children in the run up to the budget.
In an effort to
put pressure on the Government Barnardos has issued a call to parents and
supporters on the Southside to visit www.barnardos.ie and sign the
‘Barnardos
Knows’ petition.
CEO Fergus
Finlay said the petition aimed to deliver the voices of those most affected by
the recession to the corridors of power.
“The past few
budgets have been very tough on families in Dublin and all across Ireland,
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said.
“Time and again cuts have targeted family incomes and education and
health services despite ongoing lip service paid to protecting the most
vulnerable. We want to gather as much public support as possible to put
pressure on the Government to prioritise children in Budget 2012. We know
difficult choices have to be made but enough is enough when it comes to
Ireland’s children.
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Barnardos has
40 project centres throughout Ireland with three of these based on the
Southside. Staff at the charity have noticed an increase in the numbers of
children and families facing hardship since the recession began.
Rory Hearne of
Barnardos, Dublin said:
“I know of kids who are living in damp, cold houses
because their parents can’t pay the electricity or gas bills. Their health
suffers hugely from the inadequate environments they’re living in. It’s
shocking that another budget could conceivably make things worse again for
these families. No child should have to live in Dickensian conditions in a
first world, still wealthy country.
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Mr Finlay
added:
“There are just a few weeks to Budget Day so the time for making our
pleas heard is running out. We’re asking all parents and anyone else who is
concerned at the impact the recession is having on children’s lives to sign our
petition before November 30.
“We will
present Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, with our petition one week before
the budget. This is not a foregone conclusion; there is still time for all of
us to do our bit to protect children next year. It’s in all our interests that
the budget should put children first and prevent further suffering for families
in Ireland.
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According to
the latest statistics available, over 90,000 children are living in consistent
poverty in Ireland. This 2009 figure represents an increase of 26,684 children
on 2008 and Barnardos fears that these numbers will have increased in the past
two years.
Those without
internet access who would like to add their name to the Barnardos Knows
petition are invited to contact the national office on Callsave 1850222300
during office hours.