Ms Maria Corbett:

I will try to be as quick as I can. I thank the Deputies for the kind words expressed about the Children's Rights Alliance. They are much appreciated. I was struck by the comments of the other presenters and the Deputies and Senators with regard to how interconnected everything is. I am mindful that while I am referring to children we need to consider the impact of the cuts. We have discussed the budget in a broad sense. The effects are acute and not only cuts in child income supports but in the areas of education, mental health, home help and everything else. We should keep in mind the cumulative effect of all of this. Deputy Regina Doherty noted the importance of ensuring that we are not socially bankrupt. There is a sense in which we need to get out of our silos and examine what we are doing to society and the impact of the cuts on society.

I imagine the child benefit payment will be discussed on the airwaves in the coming weeks. I emphasise the importance of the payment, which goes into virtually every household where there are children, because it is of its nature a guaranteed universal payment regardless of whether one is working. There is a great deal of uncertainty in the lives of many families with regard to money coming in and going out. At least it is a guaranteed payment and I am keen to put its importance on the table.

We have spoken about the large number of children in poverty in Ireland. We should not ignore that the make-up of that large number, one fifth of children, is rather varied. Within that group there are several vulnerable groups. In particular I have in mind the children of lone parent families and the children of asylum seeker families living in the direct provision system and the particular additional difficulties these groups face. There are issues relating to families going through the homeless services as well. When we discuss the matter we should not be too general or lose the detail because if we are to address child poverty and take it on we should think holistically about how we do it.

When we are discussing making cuts and savings we should bear in mind the lifelong impact of being a child who grows up in consistent poverty. It is very difficult to come back from there. It is good investment to invest in children during this recessionary time and to ensure that children have a right to grow up free from poverty.