Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for their opening contributions on the important topic of child poverty. In this committee, we all strive to introduce targeted measures that have an impact on reducing child poverty.

I will first focus on early childhood care and education, referenced by One Family. My party, Fine Gael, has engaged extensively in this area through its policy lab and produced the Care of the Child document, which provides an enhanced route to early childhood care and education for pre-school aged children and help to prepare a child for starting primary school. I note that One Family recommends free access to quality, accessible early years and school-age childcare for one-parent households as part of a wider move to a publicly funded childcare system. I would be interested to hear more on this approach to childcare for single parents and what progress or engagement One Family has made in this area as one of its main targeted measures.

My second question relates to those in need of food supports. What Government response would the witnesses like to see implemented to combat parents' worry and, as Ms Jonsson referenced, the shame and stress of not knowing what food they may have to put on the table in the evenings? Do the school meals programme and breakfast clubs do enough for children living and dealing with food poverty and the struggle of having to go to school on an empty stomach.

Third, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul outlined an all-government approach to addressing structural issues that trap families in poverty. What would this new poverty plan contain? What actions would the witnesses like to see across Departments?