A budget for women? National Women’s Council shares top calls ahead of Budget 2027

Published: Tuesday, July 07, 2026

NWC, the leading representative women’s organisation, launched its submission today

Press release, 7 July 2026

The National Women’s Council (NWC), with its almost 200 women’s organisations across the island, has published its top calls to government ahead of Budget 2027. It said childcare, contraception, and energy are three of the areas where investment from government would make a significant difference in women’s lives.

NWC Executive Director Corrinne Hasson said:

“Ireland is a wealthy country, yet too many women still cannot afford childcare, cannot access healthcare, and cannot make ends meet. Budget 2027 is an opportunity to change that. We know that women still shoulder the majority of unpaid care work in Ireland, and there are knock-on implications for this, such as the gender pay gap. In our pre-budget submission, we apply feminist thinking to the country’s budget and we are making very clear calls for improvement on our government”.

Binta Kyauta Salam, Project Officer at AkiDwA, said:

“Affordable and accessible childcare is not just a family issue; it is a gender equality issue. For many migrant women, lone parents, and women in marginalised communities, the lack of childcare is the difference between being able to work, study, attend appointments, take part in community life, or remain excluded. Budget 2027 must prioritise publicly delivered childcare, reduce costs for families, and ensure that women most affected by inequality are not left behind."

Dr Susan O’Dwyer, Head of Professional Services at the Irish Pharmacy Union said:

“In community pharmacy we see first-hand the strong uptake of the Free Contraception Scheme and the benefits that patient derive from it. In practice we are now seeing patients ageing out of the scheme despite having an ongoing contraceptive need. Women over 35 remain fertile well into their forties. To support equity of access to the Free Contraception the IPU are calling for a phased expansion of the Free Contraception Scheme beginning with the 36-40 age cohort in 2027.”

Clare O’Connor, Programme Director on Heat at Friends of the Earth said:

"Everyone in Ireland has been impacted by energy costs and many will be facing into a very difficult winter. Budget 2027 must be one that protects households from high energy costs through targeted supports now and lasting investment in warmer homes and fossil fuel phaseout. Families must not be left at the mercy of volatile fossil fuel prices any longer."

NWC launched their pre-budget submission with an online event featuring the above speakers, alongside an advocacy briefing with Senator Patricia Stephenson. Last year, Senator Stephenson advanced an NWC budget call for free travel for survivors of gender-based violence.

Find here NWC’s Pre-Budget Submission 2027: https://www.nwci.ie/images/uploads/NWC_Budget_Submission_2027_MASTER_final.pdf