A failure to reduce child poverty numbers will be one of this Government’s most shameful legacies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said:
“Despite record budget surpluses, there are more than 260,000 children living in poverty in Ireland – an increase of 30,000 in the past year alone.
“Of these, around 58,000 children are experiencing consistent, deep poverty due to cost-of-living pressures and extremely low incomes. This is causing serious harm to these children on an ongoing basis.
“Child poverty is not inevitable – it is something that can be tackled if the right political choices are made.
“When Leo Varadkar last took up office as Taoiseach, he pledged make this issue a priority so that Ireland would be the best country in Europe to be a child.
“With more than quarter of a million children – or one in five – living in poverty, these words now ring hollow.
“As End Child Poverty Week 2024 gets under way, it is fitting that we reflect on the Government’s abysmal record in this area.
“A failure to reduce child poverty numbers will be one of its most shameful legacies.
“Instead of a focus on transient one-off measures in the budget, it is clear that more targeted supports are required to lift children and their families out of poverty.”
September 2, 2024