Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo’s Northern Ireland said:
“700 days without a functioning government.
40,000 babies born in Northern Ireland during that time.
8000 of those babies born into poverty.
This is unacceptable.
We’ve said it many times and we’ll say it again, our babies, children and young people cannot wait. They should never have been made to wait in the first place. At last our politicians have put disagreements aside and can focus on the real issues impacting the people of Northern Ireland.
Taking things slowly is not an option, this assembly cannot afford to waste any more time. From day one, tackling poverty must be top of their agenda, because no child should grow up in poverty. It's disgraceful that in 2024, so many babies are still being born into a life of poverty. The assembly needs to deliver and implement a robust and ambitious Anti-Poverty Strategy, which will protect and support all babies, children and families living in Northern Ireland.
The past two years have been some of the toughest we have ever faced. Organisations in the community and voluntary sector have been under immense pressure to support local children and families through a cost-of-living crisis, where families who were once forced to choose between feeding their children or heating their homes, can no longer afford either.
Every day we hear from families who are trying to navigate crumbling, underfunded health services, with extensive waiting lists and who have crippling debts because of basics that used to be affordable, like school uniforms and groceries.
Things can change. Things can get better. The Northern Ireland Assembly must be determined, ambitious and collaborative if it is to tackle these challenges head-on.
We urge this government to work alongside us and our colleagues in the community and voluntary sector, to build stronger families, safer childhoods, positive futures and to deliver for the children and young people in Northern Ireland.”