Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to resume discussion on child poverty

The meeting at 3.00pm will be broadcast from Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.

Representatives from the following organisations are due to address the meeting.

Representatives from Pobal
Representatives from National Women’s Council of Ireland
Representatives from National One Parent Family Alliance
Representatives from Rialto Youth Project
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Kathleen Funchion said: “Tomorrow’s engagement follows on from a previous meetings the Committee held about child poverty with representatives from Children’s Rights Alliance, Early Childhood Ireland and Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids (SPARK), Focus Ireland and Barnardos.”

“We know that investment in early years and early childhood care and education is one of the key measures needed to tackle child poverty. We also know from stakeholders that have appeared before this Committee that one parent families are at particular risk of experiencing poverty.”

“They face many structural issues from employment, housing and the social protection system which leaves them particularly exposed.”

“The successor strategy to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures will be hugely important when it comes to tackling child poverty.”

“We need to address the long-term impacts of children experiencing poverty and identify children and families at risk of persistent poverty and support their emotional, social, physical and developmental well-being.”

“The Department of Social Protection leads on the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020–2025, which is aimed at reducing poverty and improving social inclusion. Under the roadmap, a new child poverty target is being agreed.”

“Key consideration must be given to the appropriate and effective structures to pursue the reforms necessary to improve outcomes for our most disadvantaged children and to pursue a coherent agenda when it comes to tackling child poverty.”

“We look forward to discussing these and other issues with witnesses tomorrow.”

The Joint Committee on Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas.ie.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.