Dr. Naomi Feely:

What has been very positive in recent years is that we have seen a political commitment at the highest level of Government, through the Department of the Taoiseach, with the establishment of the child poverty and well-being unit. That is going to be critical in driving cross-government action and investment in services. We have taken some very good and welcome first steps in the provision of targeted services for families and children experiencing poverty. However, we must have a consistent approach and invest incrementally over sustained budget cycles in these services in order for us to break the cycle of poverty within one generation.