Government policy on children slips - report

THE CHILDREN’S Rights Alliance report card has given the Government a D-minus grade in its commitment to children in a report published today.

The alliance monitors progress in the areas of education, health, material wellbeing and safeguarding children. Its audit is verified by an external assessment panel, represented by Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness and Irish Congress of Trade Unions chief executive Sally Anne Kinahan.

Alliance chief executive Jillian van Turnhout said it had awarded the Government an overall D grade last year. “This year, this has slipped to a D-minus grade,’’ she added. “While this, in itself, is disappointing enough, it gives us no pleasure at all to introduce a new F grade, a fail.’’

Last year, the group gave the Government a B-minus grade for financial support for families, which has dropped to an F in today’s report. “Had Government not reversed its proposed cuts to education, this year’s report card would be much bleaker.”

She said the new grade reflected the way in which children became casualties of the recession. “In times of crisis, it is only natural to expect children to come first,’’ she added.

“As Ireland sinks further into economic crisis, none of our children are at the front of the queue.’’