Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I have no difficulty with the methodology used. The only argument I would put forward is that it is not possible to compare like with like because it is not a case of being able to do so. As both reports state, the methodology employed is different and cannot be compared with earlier reports. I welcome the fact that they focus on the areas on which we should target resources. While there has been a major reduction from 15% to 5% of children living in extreme poverty, we must concentrate our efforts on those 5% of children.

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