Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

In relation to child poverty generally, first, there is a commitment in the programme for government that we will look at a targeted child benefit payment, and we are doing some preliminary work on that. I would also point out that over the course of 2025 we have increased expenditure on children by up to €115 million, including €72 million to fund the extension of the school meals programme, €15 million on the new baby grant and, specifically related to child poverty, €15 million that is funding a €60 per week increase in the income threshold for the working family payment. That is a payment I will be very much focused on in terms of addressing poverty generally and, in particular, child poverty.

I only got sight of the ESRI report late last night and we are reflecting on it. It points out the importance of issues such as the school meals programme and it also points out the issue of non-direct payments with regard to child poverty, which I think should be taken into account as well.

The work of the child poverty unit in the Department of the Taoiseach connects to that and other Departments are also involved in dealing with child poverty, in particular the Departments of children and education. In that context, the introduction of free school books has transformed the outcome for many families. It has been highlighted to me by a number of organisations as a very important support, particularly at this time of year and next month, although it might be unseen. As I said, we are opening applications this week for the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, which will assist some 179,000 children. That money will be paid in June as well.

The whole role of the unit within the Taoiseach's office is to start blowing down the silos that are there within the system and, obviously, in the Department of Health. Too many people are being caught between these silos. It absolutely fries my head after 18 years in this job that silos are getting in the way of people getting the services they need. The Taoiseach is determined to try to break down those silos and we will do our bit in the Department of Social Protection, but not on our own. That is why the unit is being set up.