Enda Kenny
Ceist:388 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of children estimated to be living in poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42934/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 December 2006
Ceisteanna (369)
Freagraí scríofa
The results of the 2005 EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), which were recently published by the CSO, indicate that about 10% of children under 14 years of age experience consistent poverty. This figure has to be seen against the backdrop of the substantial progress on remaining child poverty delivered by a range of measures across a number of Departments and agencies over recent years which has resulted in more than 250,000 people being lifted out of consistent poverty, including an estimated 100,000 children.
However, an unacceptable number of children remain in consistent poverty and the Government remains focussed on further substantially reducing child poverty. The level of commitment in this area was particularly prominent in last week's Budget in which I announced a range of targeted measures and supports, costing over €240 million, specifically to benefit children in low income families and families on welfare.
I have long held the view that implementing a targeted second tier of payment for children in low income and welfare families is the most effective method of tackling child poverty. The significantly improved and targeted measures I announced last week represent a substantial move in that direction and that is why I took the decision to deliberately focus the increased child supports in the areas where we know child poverty exists. The measures in Budget 2007 include, for the first time in over a decade, reform of the Qualified Child Allowance (formerly Child Dependant Allowance), which is seen as an important welfare weapon in tackling child poverty levels. The three existing rates of QCA have been combined into a new single high rate of €22 per week that will benefit over 340,000 children of families on welfare. I am also increasing the rate of Child Benefit by €10 — bringing new rates to €160 and €195 per month. The Child Benefit increases will apply to all children, benefiting over 560,000 families in respect of approximately 1.1 million children.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides additional income support for the poorest families at a particularly difficult time of the year. With this in mind, I am increasing the allowance by €60 for children aged 2 to 11, and by €95 for children aged 12 to 22, bringing the rates of payment to €180 and €285 respectively. I have also made provision for additional funding of €3 million to extend the School Meals Programme. Other budgetary measures, such as the €20 per week increase in the lowest social welfare rate to €185.80 and increases in the earnings thresholds for One Parent Family Payment and Family Income Supplement, will also indirectly benefit children living in low income households.
The package of measures for children and families in Budget 2006 is in addition to recent initiatives such as the €1,000 a year early childcare supplement for all children under 6 years and the creation of additional childcare places. An example of how these Budget measures will significantly benefit low income and welfare families is the case of a Lone Parent, which is an area where child poverty is particularly prevalent, who is earning €20,000 a year and who has one child aged 5. The additional income from social welfare entitlements, supports and allowances will further increase this families income in 2007 by €9,646, with the increases announced in the Budget accounting for €3,754 of that.
In addition, preparation of a new National Action Plan for Inclusion is currently being coordinated by the Office for Social Inclusion in my Department for launch early in the new year. Building on the social inclusion provisions in the partnership agreement, Towards 2016, the Plan will adopt a lifecycle approach by assessing the risks which individuals face at each stage of the life cycle and the supports they need to effectively meet these risks. The groups focused on using this approach are Children, People of Working Age, Older People and People with Disabilities. This strategic framework is also being designed to create more coherent and integrated structures that will greatly assist in achieving more effective implementation of the plan. It is also expected to facilitate better and more effective reporting and monitoring across the spectrum of government activity in the area of social inclusion.