Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to meet targets on reducing child poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39642/17]
View answerThe National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures), published by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in 2014, includes a target to reduce by two-thirds, the number of children in consistent poverty in 2011 by 2020. Meeting this target means lifting 102,000 children out of poverty. Under this Framework, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in collaboration with my Department and other relevant Departments is taking a whole-of-government approach to tackling child poverty.
2015 saw the first reduction in the number of children in consistent poverty since 2008 when there was a reduction of 13,000 or approximately 9 per cent decrease in the number of children in consistent poverty. The full impact of the recovery is not yet reflected in these figures. As unemployment is strongly linked to poverty, we can expect further decreases in poverty as the figures for 2016 and 2017 become available. The Government continues to focus on helping people back into the workforce. However, it is clear that the target to reduce child poverty by more than 100,000 children, or two thirds of the 2011 rate, is ambitious and may not be met.
My Department helps to prevent child poverty by providing income support for families through child benefit, qualified child increases for welfare recipients, family income supplement and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance, amounting to more than €3 billion this year.
Social transfers play a crucial role in alleviating poverty and inequality and Ireland is among the best in the EU for reducing poverty through social transfers.
However, reducing child poverty is not just about income supports and welfare. Rather it is also about supporting parents to make the transition into employment and assisting families through the provision of quality affordable services in areas such as education, health and childcare.
