I understand that the Deputy is referring to an article published recently in the journal of the Institute of Public Administration, which draws on material from a qualitative study undertaken in 1998 of patterns of money management in welfare-dependent households with children. The article discusses decisions on food and diet made by 50 mothers in such households.
The article comments on the composition, in so far as it refers to food items, of the basic deprivation index which is used, in conjunction with income poverty lines, to measure consistent poverty. It argues that the index "refers to a basic minimum and excludes any consideration of choice, changed eating patterns or child related foods" and that it is therefore in conflict with the national health promotion strategy, which encourages choice and variety.
However, the purpose of the deprivation index, which has been independently formulated by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, is not to measure a basic minimum set by Government or by any other agency but to identify those excluded, due to lack of resources, from availing of particular items or activities that people themselves consider necessary for avoidance of deprivation. The inclusion of food items in the list of deprivation indicators reflects the value that people themselves place on providing for their dietary needs and those of their families.
