Speech
Budget 2022 Press Conference Speech | Minister O'Gorman
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
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I’m pleased to be here today to outline the key elements of Budget 2022 for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
My Department has received an additional €183 million euro, bringing the total investment for 2022 to €2.1 billion.
This significant budget package reflects the high priority that this Department places on strengthening supports for children, for childcare workers, for refugees & migrants, woman, members of the Traveller Community and LGBTI+ people.
In the area of Early Childcare and Learning, the Government is committed to increasing spending to €1 billion by 2028. From September 2022, I will introduce a major new core funding stream for Early Learning and Childcare. €69 million is being made available next year under this stream, equivalent to €207.5 million in a full year and an increase of 16% in the total annual income to the sector.
In return for a commitment that parents’ fees will not increase, providers will be eligible for this new core funding stream to help cover increased operating costs linked to quality improvement measures, including staff pay and conditions.
I am also pleased to announce a number of important developments to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). The practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours will cease in 2022.
This will particularly benefit an estimated 5,000 children from low income families whose parents are not in work or study.
From September 2022, I will extend the universal subsidy available under the NCS to up to 40,000 children. This extends the universalism of the NCS and reduces work disincentives.
This package marks the beginning of important and transformative multi annual investment programme and achieves significant progress on the commitment to increase spending to €1 billion by 2028.
I want to pay tribute to early years workers and providers who have campaigned tirelessly for many years to ensure that the work they do is properly valued.
Coming from a base of almost zero State investment 10 years ago, to €716m euro next year, is an achievement that has come about as a result of their dedication and commitment to the best possible outcomes for our youngest citizens.
In last year’s budget I provided the largest single year-on-year increase in Tusla’s budget since its establishment in 2014, to allow it address significant and complex demand led pressures.
This year I am building further on this and allocating €899m to the Agency. This is an increase of €41m or almost 5%. The additional resources that I have secured in Budget 2022 will allow Tusla to continue to grow, to improve the front-line service it provides to vulnerable children, to families to victims of DSGBV and to support those services provided by its partners, in the community and voluntary sector.
I am committed to ending the unfair system of accommodation that is Direct Provision. We are working to implement a new system of accommodation for all applicants and provide the necessary supports to allow for independent living that has the needs of applicants at its core.
The €28m allocated in Budget 2022 will allow me to begin the process of implementing the White Paper, allowing international protection applicants move to more appropriate accommodation.
Turning to the remaining areas of the Department’s remit, I am very pleased to have been able to achieve additional funding towards a wide range of important areas.
These include extra funding of €5m for Youth organisations which will allow those organisations support young people across the country.
I would also like to recognise that the Youth Travel Card, giving young people aged 19 – 23 50% discount on public transport, announced by Minister Eamon Ryan yesterday, was a direct initiative from the Comhairle na nOg Executive, and I want to acknowledge their work.
We are also investing in making Ireland a fairer, more inclusive, and more equal country.
Next year I will allocate €12m - an increase of €3m - for Refugee and Migrant Integration and for Action to Combat Anti-Racism. Positive Actions for Gender Equality will receive an additional €2m next year, taking total funding to €6m.
I have also secured an increase in LGBTI+ related funding to just over €1 million to cover continued funding for LGBTI+ organisations through the Community Services Fund. I am delighted that I have also secured an increase in funding for Traveller and Roma organisations and programmes, bringing the total to €5.6m in 2022.
My Department has undergone a year of incredible change – we have expanded dramatically to take on much greater responsibilities, we have produced ground-breaking new policy measures to help those who we serve, all while responding to one of the most challenging crises the State has ever faced.
Budget 2022 will enable my Department to firmly establish itself and continue to deliver on our mission to some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Thank you.