Spectacle of Defiance and Hope May Day Celebration

SIPTU Community Campaign joins lone parents to say “7 is too young”

The SIPTU Community Campaign joined with SPARK, and other lone parent organisations, at a press conference today (24th April) in Dublin to say that “7 is too young” and call for a review of Section 4 of the Social Welfare Bill 2012 restricting Lone Parents Allowance for families whose youngest child is over seven years of age.

SIPTU Community Sector Organiser, Darragh O’Connor, said; “As childcare provision is a key part of any solution for lone parents accessing work I welcome the statement by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, that the One Parent Family Payment will only be restricted if a credible commitment on childcare provision is given by the Government.

“The Community Sector has a key role to play in any solution to the issue of childcare provision. By expanding on the existing infrastructure and utilising Community Employment the State could deliver a childcare service that is not only high quality and affordable for parents, but also cost effective for Government.”

Darragh O’Connor called for a joint approach between the relevant Government departments and stakeholders to address childcare needs.

“It is almost universally accepted that investment in quality childcare yields huge returns for communities. As part of an overall growth strategy a comprehensive childcare system must be a priority,” he added.

May Day 2012 - March Against Austerity

SIPTU Community Campaign
May Day 2012

The SIPTU Community Campaign is calling on union members and supporters to join this year’s May Day march against austerity and funding cuts to our sector.  Join us on:

Tuesday 1st May
6.30pm
Parnell Square, Dublin 1 

The recent “Downsizing the Community Sector” report clearly illustrates how the community and voluntary sector has faced disproportionate funding cuts. The battle for the future of Community Employment is also being fought continually. 

Participating in this year’s May Day protest is just one of the actions that SIPTU Community members will be taking part in this year. To find out about future events and actions, visit www.siptu.ie/community

SIPTU Welcome Minister Burton‘s Statement on Affordable Childcare

A spokesperson for SIPTU’s Community Sector Campaign has welcomed Minister Burton’s statement that she will abandon proposals to restrict the one parent family payment if adequate affordable childcare provisions are not included in this year’s budget.

Introducing the Social Welfare Bill in the Dáil last night Ms Burton said that she would only proceed with plans to reduce the upper age limit for the payment to the youngest child to seven years when she had received “a credible and bankable commitment from the government on the delivery of such a system of childcare.”

Darragh O’Connor, Sector Organiser with SIPTU declared “We welcome the Minister’s statement as a positive recognition of the concerns expressed by the “Seven is Too Young” campaign which we are very proud to support. We have many members who are single parents who stand to suffer a further serious cut to their incomes if these measures are implemented.”

“Our members also welcome the Minister’s recognition of the crucial role of the provision of affordable childcare. The Minister can make a further positive contribution in this regard by committing to secure funding for Community Employment (CE) Childcare Schemes currently funded by her department. These schemes have had training and materials grants frozen pending the completion of an overall review of CE funding.”

“However the Minister has already made a very positive statement regarding the future funding of Community Employment at the Labour Party conference. Her comments yesterday correctly imply the need to not only restore this funding but also to grow and develop this successful model of community childcare across every region of the country."

“Restoring support for Community Employment Childcare would also have the added advantage of ensuring that opportunities for single parents to find a pathway back to work are enhanced rather than restricted.”