National Women’s Council of Ireland calls on government to increase social welfare rates to support women and lone parents
National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWC) has called on the Government to tackle the cost of living crisis for women through investment in public services and income supports.
Last week the NWC launched its Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2023, Shaping Our Future: Tackling the cost of living for women in Budget 2023. The Submission calls for an increase in core social welfare rates; the delivery of a universal public childcare model; investment in tackling violence against women; and universal free contraception.
In this submission, NWC sets out 10 Priority Asks for Women in Budget 2023:
1. Access to universal public childcare
Deliver a universal, public childcare model starting with an additional investment of €250m in 2023 to address affordability for low-income families and workforce pay
2. Tackle the cost of violence to women
Fully fund the implementation of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, including the accommodation plan and refuge spaces
3. End poverty
Increase social welfare rates, including pensions, by €20 to address the impact of inflation and ensure progress towards a Minimum Essential Standard of Living
4. Ensure income doesn’t impact contraceptive choice and bodily autonomy
Extend universal, free contraception so women have real contraceptive choice and access to the most effective forms, targeting women from 26-35 in 2023. Additional investment: €45m
5. Address lone parent poverty
Establish a Statutory Child Maintenance service to ensure adequate and stable income for lone parents - New minimum investment: €2m.
6. Support marginalised women’s voices and organisations
Support the participation of marginalised communities/women across the island through increased funding to women’s civil society organisations
7. Access to housing and accommodation
Invest in a major State-led housing programme for provision of public, affordable and cost rental homes and accommodation to mitigate against the high cost of housing – double investment to €3bn
8. Tackle rising energy costs and climate change
Provide deep retrofits for low income families and invest in urban and rural public transport
9. Protect low income workers
Increase the Minimum Wage by €1 per hour to protect low-income workers against the rising cost of living
10. Support all families to work and care
Support low-income workers to care by increasing Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Leave payments to €280p.w. to bring more in line with EU norms - Additional investment: €40.7m