Treoir Responds to Budget 2025: Welcoming Positive Steps, But Calling for More Sustainable Support for Families
Friday 4th October 2024
Treoir, the national federation supporting unmarried parents, welcomes many of the initiatives introduced in Budget 2025, which aim to alleviate financial pressures on families. However, Treoir believes that a stronger focus on long-term, sustainable solutions is necessary to truly support vulnerable families, especially one-parent families and kinship carers.
Positive Measures, But More is Needed
Treoir is encouraged by certain aspects of the budget, such as the extension of the Hot Meals Scheme to all primary schools, the Free Books Scheme to the senior cycle, and the increase in maternity and paternity benefits.
However, while these measures will provide measures provide timely and much-needed support, Treoir remains concerned that Budget 2025 has fallen short on providing targeted measures that tackle the root issues of poverty and income inequality.
One-Off Payments: Immediate Help, but Not a Long-Term Solution
The inclusion of one-off payments, such as the double child benefit payments in November and December, the €400 lump sum for carers, and the additional payments for those on social welfare, will undoubtedly offer short-term financial relief. However, while these measures help to address short-term pressures, they do not replace the need for sustainable, ongoing support.
Gayle Smith, Policy and Information Officer at Treoir, has said: “Budget 2025 failed to address poverty and income inequality. The one-off payments, although welcome, do nothing to support struggling families long term. This budget does not do anything to address income inadequacy beyond December.”
One-Parent Families: Still Falling Short
One-parent families continue to face significant challenges, and while Budget 2025 offers some progress, more is needed. The increase of €12 in core social welfare rates, while welcome, falls short of addressing the true cost of living for these families.
Similarly, while the increase in the qualified child payment (€4 for under-12s and €8 for over-12s) is a positive development, it does not go far enough to meet the needs of families.
Treoir had recommended indexing the qualified child payment to 50% of the dependent adult payment for under-12s and 56% for over-12s, which would better reflect the actual costs involved in raising children.
Widow’s/Widowers Pension: Inaction Remains
We also note with disappointment the absence of any mention to enact the new legislation to ensure Cohabiting couples’ access to Widow’s/Widower’s Pension.
In January 2024, John O’Meara won a landmark case in the Supreme Court that stated that the discrimination against him and his children based on marital status was unjustified. That discrimination cannot continue for other cohabitants. The Court ordered the government to introduce legislation to rectify this for other cohabiting couples and yet it has been nearly 9 months, and nothing has happened.
Damien Peelo, CEO of Treoir has said: “It is hugely disappointing that there was no mention of the additional cost of extending the widow’s pension to the surviving partner of a cohabiting couple following bereavement, as ruled by the Supreme Court. Legislation needs to be introduced before the general election if this government is to fulfil their court ordered responsibility”.
Kinship Carers: A Missed Opportunity for Fairness
Treoir is encouraged by the modest increase in the Guardianship Payment, but we believe there is still much work to be done. Kinship carers, who provide invaluable support to children in need, continue to receive significantly less financial support compared to foster carers, whose allowance remains nearly double.
We had hoped to see the weekly Guardianship Payment (€227) brought in line with the weekly Foster Care Allowance (€400), ensuring that all caregivers are treated fairly and equitably.
A Call for Sustainable, Long-Term Measures
While Treoir acknowledges the Government’s efforts to provide short-term financial relief, it is clear that more ambitious, sustainable measures are needed to ensure families’ long-term financial stability. Families need more than short-term relief—they need lasting, sustainable solutions that ensure their financial security well into the future.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Alice O’Flynn, Communications and Membership Officer: 085 859 7146 or alice@treoir.ie
About Treoir
Treoir is the national federation of services for unmarried parents and their children, promoting their rights and providing information and support services to families across Ireland. Treoir is committed to achieving a just and equitable society where all families, regardless of structure, are valued and supported.