NWCI calls on Government to turn things around for Women in Budget 2016

Published: Friday, July 03, 2015

At the Pre-Budget Forum hosted by the Department of Social Protection today, NWCI called on the Government to use Budget 2016 to turn things around for women and deliver real results for those on lower incomes who have suffered the worst impacts of the recession.

Alice-Mary Higgins, Policy and Campaigns Officer with NWCI said,

“Recent years have seen serious deterioration in the economic reality for women in Ireland. The Gender Pay Gap has widened from 12.6% to 14.4 % with a Gender Pension Gap of 35%.  Half of women workers now earn €20,000 or less, far below the general median wage of €28,500. ESRI report a 14% income loss for women in couples, versus 9% for men during the recession.”

“If this is to be a ‘legacy budget’ for the current Government, it needs to take concrete steps towards a more equal and sustainable Ireland.  Instead of tax breaks, any additional resources should be directed towards urgent repair of the damage done during the recession and investment in public services and essential national infrastructure that benefit all in society.”

Investment in Childcare

“The Department of Social Protection has acknowledged the need for a Scandinavian style model of early years care, yet Ireland continues to lag behind all its European neighbours and spends less than half the OECD average.  NWCI is calling for Ireland to scale up to the recommended 1% of GDP over the next 5 years, starting with the introduction of a second free pre-school year and improved after-school care.”

Freeze the rollout of transition from the One Parent Family Payment

Alice-Mary Higgins continued,

“Until those childcare supports are in place, the Department of Social Protection should freeze the rollout of transition from the One Parent Family Payment. CSO figures already highlight a shocking 63% deprivation levels among lone parents and without the necessary childcare, education and training supports, the 30,000 families who are losing their payment this week may be pushed further into poverty.”

Deliver the Homemaker’s Credit

Alice-Mary Higgins said,

“84% of those receiving a Full State Contributory Pension are men and while this payment was not cut during the recession, the Reduced Rate Contributory Pension, on which many women rely, was steadily eroded.  Ireland’s pension gap of 35% carries the legacy of the marriage bar and a pension system which failed, and still fails, to recognise care.  The Department can address this in Budget 2016  by delivering the  “Homemakers Credit” for women who have contributed a substantial part of their life to the unpaid care work on which our society so heavily relies. This could also serve as a ‘Re-Entry Credit’, supporting women to access employment and training as a step towards re-entering the workforce.”

Attach strong Social Clauses to all public spending

Alice-Mary Higgins concluded,

“A whole new generation of women are facing into long term income inequality due to the spread of low pay and precarious work. NWCI believes an absolute priority for the Government in Budget 2016 must be the attachment of strong Social Clauses, including gender equality and decent work requirements, to all areas of public spending – procurement, grants and employer incentive schemes.”

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