Vol. 521 No. 4
205 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will outline Ireland's position with regard to child poverty in the latest UNICEF report; and the way in which Ireland compares with other OECD countries in this regard. [17088/00]
The UNICEF report, A League Table of Child Poverty in Rich Nations, includes a number of references to the Irish situation. It should be noted that much of the data available on child poverty in Ireland relates to the early to mid-1990s and the rate of child poverty has fallen in the late 1990s, as recognised in the Combat Poverty Agency's recent submission to the national children's strategy. Having said that, the Government recognises that much still needs to be done.
The report recognises that the Irish approach to poverty reduction may have much to offer and states that the national anti-poverty strategy shows that it is possible to conduct a public debate on poverty, to develop poverty reduction targets that command national support, and to establish social goals alongside economic targets as measures of national progress. The report acknowledges that Irish poverty reduction targets have succeeded in broadening and deepening public debate and in winning a new place for poverty on Ireland's national agenda.
UNICEF also acknowledges the value of a framework, provided by the strategy, within which both economic and social policy can be assessed, and within which governmental and non-governmental agencies can work towards common goals.
With regard to child poverty levels, the report places Ireland in thirteenth position of 19 countries in terms of absolute poverty and eighteenth of 23 countries in terms of relative poverty, with 16.8% of Irish children living below the national poverty line which is defined as households with income below 50% of the national median. Turkey, the UK, Italy, the USA and Mexico are placed 19th to 23rd respectively in the child poverty league.
The view that child benefit represents a key instrument for tackling child poverty is widely acknowledged and is fully shared by the Government. The recent 2000 budget provides for substantial improvements in the monthly rates of child benefit, resulting in a full year increased investment of some £106 million, bringing the total provided in 2000 to a record £504.6 million. The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF) also contains a commitment to substantially increase child benefit over the lifetime of the programme, with a priority focus towards £100 per month for the third and subsequent children. From September, the basic child benefit monthly rates will have risen to £42.50 in respect of each of the first two children and £56 in respect of the third and subsequent children.
The best way out of poverty, for both adults and children, is employment. It is Government policy to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to participate fully in society and work is the key to achieving this objective for those who can work. The unemployment rate is now well below the EU average and the live register has fallen by 100,000 since we took up office in June 1997.
Long-term unemployment has fallen more rapidly than the live register as a whole and employment opportunities have increased. Measures such as the family income supplement have helped encourage parents back into the workforce. By increasing income from work, not just the individuals themselves benefit, but the families and communities in which they live.
