NYCI outlines Budget priorities for young people
NYCI has prepared and submitted its proposals to Government concerning the upcoming Budget. For NYCI Budget 2009 must deliver on a number of priority issues that affect the lives of young people in Ireland.
There is a growing realisation that the choices we make today will in effect create the future in which we and coming generations will live. We acknowledge the current challenging economic conditions where growth and exchequer resources are reduced. However it is vital that in a period when resources are less abundant, that we ensure the most vulnerable in society are protected, and that resources are invested in our citizens that will enable them to deal with and address the current challenges now and into the future. In our view young people have a right to benefit from an adequately resourced and equitable education system (both formal and non-formal) and health care system. They also deserve the right to essential supports within their communities, decent facilities and greater financial supports for those residing in the private rented sector. These are the priority issues identified and addressed in our Pre-Budget Submission.
Pre-Budget Submission: Budget 2009
Summary of Recommendations:
Implement Government Commitments:
As we enter into the third year of the Social Partnership agreement and the second year of the implementation of the Programme for Government, NYCI urges the Government to honour its commitments in both agreements. Of particular concern to NYCI is the need to ensure sustained investment in the areas outlined below to ensure that we continue to address and improve the well being and lives of children and young people in 2009.
1. Address Educational Disadvantage:
- Adequately Resource the Nationwide Education Welfare Service.
- Establish a €20million Scheme for Approved Part-Time Courses.
2. Invest in Youth Work:
- Build on the investment of the last number of years and ensure we maintain the levels of services and supports for young people.
- Meet the cost of living increases of youth organisations by increasing the funding for the youth service grant scheme and the youth work sector by 5% (€2m) in Budget 2009.
3. Promote Young People’s Health:
- Implement the commitment in the Programme for Government to double the income threshold limits for the full medical card for the parents of children under 6 in Budget 2009.
- Increase funding to the National Office for Suicide Prevention.
4. End Child Poverty:
- Increase Qualified Child Allowance by €4 to €28 per week and by a further €4 per week to €32 for children aged 12 +.
5. Protect the rights of Young People within the Private Rented Sector:
- Abolish the current differential in the rent tax relief available to those under and over 55 by providing the same tax relief to all claimants.
- Invest adequate resources for inspections and enforcement of regulations to ensure greater compliance with the revised standards for the private rented sector.
6. Encourage Active Citizenship:
- Invest in the implementation of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, with a particular emphasis on actions and measures to promote and foster active citizenship amongst young people.
NYCI_Pre-Budget_2009_Submission.pdf 98.46 kB