Joint Committee on Children and Equality to discuss Child Poverty and Deprivation

The meeting at 9:30am in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House will hear from representatives from:

• ·       Children’s Rights Alliance;
• ·       National One Parent Family Alliance;
• ·       Social Justice Ireland;
• ·       Early Childhood Ireland.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Keira Keogh said: “This meeting is the first in a series the Committee will hold in the coming weeks to discuss Child Poverty and Deprivation, and related matters. The Committee will examine the causes of child poverty, the impact on children and families, and policy and other measures that can be taken to assist families out of poverty and deprivation.

“Key issues to be discussed with our stakeholders include low income and related supports, housing, homelessness and emergency accommodation, food and fuel poverty, childcare, education, health, and available supports to families affected by or at risk of poverty.

“The Committee welcomes the opportunity to examine these issues which affect so many families in our country, the need for more supports and other measures to remove families from poverty and deprivation. Members look forward to a wide-ranging discussion with our stakeholders who are at the coalface of dealing with poverty and its impact on families and children.”

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

The meeting in Committee Room 2 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

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