William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)

I apologise for being late. Public transport let me down this morning. Trust me, I was on time but they were not. Anyway, I have six questions to put forward. How is the Department progressing towards the Government's target to make Ireland the best country in Europe to be a child by 2030, particularly by reducing consistent child poverty rates by 2025? What evidence has the Department on the impact of the recent core welfare increases such as the qualified child payment and the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance on lifting children out of poverty? Given that child poverty is a cross-cutting issue, how effective is the Department in its joined-up thinking with the Departments of education, health and housing to ensure a co-ordinated approach under the child poverty and well-being programme office? How is the sixth Department ensuring that social protection supports are effectively reaching the most vulnerable families such as the lone parent households, families of children with disabilities, and families in homelessness and in direct provision? What mechanisms are in place in 2025 to track child poverty in real time or near real time? How is the data being used to inform and adjust policy, such as more rapid interventions for the children? What new or enhanced social protection measures are being considered for budget 2026 to further reduce child poverty especially in the light of inflationary pressures and the rising costs of living for families?