Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
2. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach for an update on the work of the child poverty unit in his Department, including the dates of meetings the unit has held since its establishment and any memos, reports or recommendations the unit has made. [37464/23]
View answerIn December, I announced my intention to set up a Child Poverty Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. I am happy to confirm that the Unit is now fully up and running and on 1st August, published its initial work programme for the next two and a half years From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Poverty and Well-being 2023-2025.
The initial Programme for the Child Poverty and Well-being Office focuses on six areas that will have the greatest impact on the lives of children who experience poverty. These six areas are:
1) Income supports and joblessness
2) Early learning and childcare
3) Reducing the cost of education
4) Family homelessness
5) Consolidating and integrating family and parental support, health and well-being
6) Enhancing participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty.
A draft of the Programme plan was discussed at the first Cabinet Committee meeting on Children and Education on Thursday, 13th July 2023. The next Cabinet Committee meeting on Children and Education is due to take place in October 2023.
In preparing the Programme, my officials engaged in extensive consultation with government and non-governmental partners.
A Memorandum on the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Plan 2023-2025 was submitted for the information of the Government at Cabinet on Tuesday, 25th July 2023.
The Programme Plan is intended to drive implementation of a broad range of commitments that will impact on the six areas, but the Office will also undertake a small number of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of cross-government responses.
This includes ensuring a specific focus on child poverty at budget time. The annual budget is a critical moment in which Government articulates its ambition for the coming year.
Given the Government’s commitment to reducing child poverty, I know that the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and my other cabinet colleagues are looking at what could be achieved in the context of Budget 2024.
