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

The meeting will take place between 15.00-18.00 and will be split into two sessions.

15:00 - 16:00      Detailed scrutiny of the Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2020 – Deputy Louise O'Reilly, TD

16:00 - 18:00      Child Poverty (resumed)

The following representatives are due to address the meeting:

Representatives from One Family, Karen Kiernan, Chief Executive and Niamh Kelly, Policy Manager
Representatives from The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Dr Tricia Keilthy, Head of Social Justice and Rose McGowan, National President
Representatives from Quarryvale Family Resource Centre, Karin Jonsson, Manager and Amanda Quinn 
 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Kathleen Funchion said:

“The Committee will firstly hear from Deputy Louise O’Reilly on legislation she has put forward which would give people experiencing domestic violence paid leave. The Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill would give victims of domestic violence a statutory entitlement to ten days paid leave.”

“The Committee looks forward to resuming its discussion on child poverty with stakeholders working at the frontline of services for those most at risk or vulnerable to child poverty.

“Restrictions have been lifted and we are emerging from the pandemic but it is clear from our discussions with previous representatives that thousands of children remain at risk of poverty.

“The Department of Children published its Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures 2020 Annual Report last week and the Minister has pledged to announce a successor strategy this year that will include targets on reducing the number of children living in poverty. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how to address consistent child poverty in this State and other related matters with representatives.”

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.