Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004
125 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has considered the report, Counting our Children — An analysis of Official Data Sources on Children and Childhood in Ireland, which highlights a dearth of knowledge regarding children when it comes to welfare and living standards, particularly poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28223/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraA copy of the report to which the Deputy refers has been received in my Department. It will be fully taken into account in the context of the data strategy being developed by the office for social inclusion. This recognises the importance of having comprehensive, accurate and timely data for monitoring and evaluating progress in achieving the targets in the national anti-poverty strategy and in the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion for 2003 to 2005.
The extent to which children are in poverty and at risk of poverty is, however, reasonably well documented from Living in Ireland surveys. A specific target in the NAPS is to reduce the number of children who are consistently poor to below 2% by 2007 and, if possible, to eliminate consistent poverty among children by then. Children in consistent poverty are those living in households which, on the basis of surveys, lack goods and services considered essential by people in Ireland. Significant progress has already been made towards achieving this 2% target. The number of children who are consistently poor, for example, has more than halved in the four year period 1997 to 2001, falling from 15.3% in 1997 to 6.5% in 2001.
The causes of poverty among children and its effects are multi-faceted, requiring a multi-policy response. A wide range of data are required in effectively monitoring, evaluating and further developing such policies. It is for that reason that my Department and the Department of Health and Children, through the National Children's Office, are jointly funding a national longitudinal study on children. The study will be the most significant of its kind to be undertaken here, particularly in terms of the cost, scope and length of study period. It is anticipated that 10,000 children from birth and 8,000 children aged nine years will be recruited to participate in the study.
The aim of the study is to examine the factors which contribute to, or undermine, the well being of children in contemporary Irish families. The findings will make a major contribution to the setting of effective and responsive policies relating to children and to the design of services for children and their families. I expect that, following the completion of the tendering process, this study will commence in mid-2005.
