Labour to propose Children’s Charter in General Election

Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD today outlined proposals for Labour’s “Children’s Charter” at the party’s annual think-in in Malahide, highlighting the ongoing failure of public services to vindicate the rights of children.

The proposals call for a comprehensive, child-based approach to ensure every child in Ireland gets a fair start in life.

Deputy Bacik said:

“With 4,401 children experiencing homelessness and over 230,000 children in Ireland living in material deprivation, we are now facing a crisis in how the state supports and protects children. These statistics are a damning indictment of our public services failing children and we need decisive action, which is why Labour will propose a Children’s Charter.

“Labour’s Children’s Charter would:

1. End child homelessness. Enact Labour’s Homeless Families Bill.
2. Guarantee an early years place for every child.
3. Introduce a new DEIS Plus model for disadvantaged areas.
4. End waiting lists for disability services and therapies.
5. Provide enough special education places in our schools.
6. Deliver a Children’s Budget to End Poverty.
7. Make education truly free for all children.
8. Resource and regulate CAMHS adequately.
9. Protect children in care.

“The shocking reality is that 4,401 children in Ireland are homeless today. This is unacceptable in any society. Labour’s Homeless Families Bill must be enacted urgently to provide the legal framework for meaningful change. We need a system that prioritises the needs of homeless families and ensures no child is left without a stable home.

“The Charter will also include a commitment to ensure every child has access to early childhood education through a publicly funded childcare scheme. Labour has long called for a guarantee of an early years place for every child. We need a publicly funded, universal childcare system that supports working families and provides quality education in the crucial early years of a child’s development.

“While progress has been made with free school books for primary and junior cycle students, the Government must go further. We’re calling for a ban on so-called voluntary contributions and for free school books to be extended to senior cycle students. Education must be truly free in order to give every child a fair start.”

Bacik also outlined Labour’s plan to introduce a new DEIS Plus model to address the growing inequality in educational outcomes for children in the most disadvantaged areas. “We need targeted investment in the most deprived communities through a bespoke DEIS Plus programme, ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

“The current waiting lists for essential disability services are simply unacceptable. We must ratify the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure that children with disabilities are not forced to wait years for critical therapies and support.

“Every year, parents face the distress of not being able to secure appropriate school places for their children with special needs. Despite increased investment, the issue persists. We need better planning to ensure every child can access the education that meets their needs.”

Highlighting the mental health crisis affecting children and young people, Bacik reiterated the need for urgent reform of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). “CAMHS must be adequately resourced to meet the growing demand. We need to double staff numbers in the next five years to ensure no child is left waiting for vital mental health support.

“It is unconscionable that some of our most vulnerable children are placed in unregulated care settings. Tusla must be properly resourced, both in terms of capital spending and staff numbers, to protect these children and ensure they are given the support they need.

“While we welcome Government’s Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme within the Department of the Taoiseach, it must be expanded to fulfil its original goal of eradicating child poverty. Our Children’s Charter will outline the immediate steps needed to ensure a future where no child is left behind.

“Labour’s Children’s Charter will be an ambitious, child-centred vision for Ireland. We need urgent action to end child poverty, tackle homelessness, and guarantee a fair start for every child in this country. We cannot afford to fail another generation.”