Start Strong Analysis of Budget 2016 - Oct 2015

Start Strong welcomes Budget 2016, which marks a significant step forward in the development of early care and education in Ireland.

The Budget delivers some key measures – in particular the extension of free pre-school and the introduction of paternity leave – and it commits to developing a framework for affordable, quality childcare.

But there is no action on some key issues – such as paid parental leave, a review of capitation rates, and salary scales – and some issues are still unclear. However, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs described the Budget measures as a ‘first step’ and ‘the beginning of a multi-annual programme of investment’, implying an intention to increase investment over time.

Read Start Strong's Budget 2016 Analysis here.

Read our Press Release here.

Read our Pre-Budget Submission 2016 here.