Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016
39. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed the findings of the Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin with the Secretary of State for Northern, which revealed the fact that over 100,000 children in Northern Ireland live in poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19470/16]
View answerThe Northern Ireland poverty bulletin for the period 2014 - 2015 was published by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on 28 June. The bulletin provides annual estimates of the percentage and number of people, children, working age adults and pensioners living in low income households in Northern Ireland.
I am aware that the bulletin included the worrying statistic that 25% of children in Northern Ireland in the period examined were found to be living in poverty. This issue is a devolved matter for which the Northern Ireland Minister for Communities Paul Givan, MLA, has lead responsibility. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to discuss the matter with the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
