Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for appearing before the committee. I will be brief. I read the report. It shows how massive the issue of poverty was in 2024. As a committee, we must prioritise this. The report stated that one in every five children was living in a household that was unable to afford the goods and services considered minimum essentials for a decent standard of living, such as being able to buy a winter coat, in 2025, not 1925. That is a shocking indictment of what is going on in the country. As a father of four, I find it baffling that we are in this situation in this country today.

The statement does not mention the child poverty and well-being programme office. Have the witnesses had any engagement with the office since the former Taoiseach established it? Will the office play a role in engaging with the alliance in addressing these issues?