NWCI calls for 100,000 Euros investment in Women’s Health Action Plan at National Economic Dialogue

Published: Wednesday, June 27, 2018

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today called for an investment of at least 100,000 Euros into the planned Women’s Health Action Plan at the National Economic Dialogue. It also called on the Government to issue an Equality Statement to be read alongside Budget 2019 and for greater investment into a care economy.

Women’s Health Action Plan

Jennifer McCarthy-Flynn, Head of Policy, National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI),

“Recent controversies around women’s health, including the cervical check controversy, have highlighted the need for healthcare policies and services that are adapted to the specific needs of women and girls. We welcome the Government’s commitment to develop a Women’s Health Action Plan. To ensure the plan will deliver for women and girls, significant investment of at least 100,000 Euros should be made available. Particular focus should be given women’s mental health, which remains underdeveloped in Ireland. “

Gender Budgeting

She continued,

“As recommended by the Budgetary Oversight Committee, NWCI also calls for an Equality Statement to be read along Budget 2019 by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. The Statement should set out broad and ambitious strategic gender equality goals, utilising the National Strategy for Women and Girls as a blueprint from which to work. These strategic goals should be linked to the gender equality performance indicators, objectives and targets chosen by Government Departments for inclusion in the Equality Budgeting Initiative.”

Care Economy

She said,

“According to the latest figures of the CSO the vast majority (98%) of those who were looking after home/family in 2016 are women. Budget 2019 is a unique opportunity to invest in a care economy through paid parental leave, PRSI credits for all carers and the development of a properly regulated Homecare sector which ensures adequate pay and working condition.  We must also continue to incrementally increase investment in early years to bring Ireland’s overall expenditure in line with the UNICEF recommendation of 1% of GDP. “

Ends/

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