Impact of childcare policies 'limited'

THE GOVERNMENT’S record on delivering its own policy commitments to children has “been barely acceptable” and it has had “limited positive impact on children’s lives”, an umbrella organisation representing children’s charities has said.

The Children’s Rights Alliance yesterday published its first annual “report card” on the Government’s performance on keeping commitments to children in areas such as health, education and material wellbeing.

The alliance, which represents 80 children’s rights organisations, says “50 per cent of commitments to children are seriously behind schedule” and the Government’s record in delivering mental health services and early childhood care and education are “unacceptable” with steps taken “in the wrong direction”.

As reported in The Irish Timesyesterday in advance of the report's publication, the alliance awarded an overall grade average of D, meaning a "a barely acceptable performance".

It found the Government’s worst record was in health, in which a score of a D-minus was recorded. It did best in safeguarding children, where it scored a C.