David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

The 2001 NESF report recommended family service workers be appointed by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to work with families in times of crisis. These are the counsellors referred to by the Minister. However, none of the report's proposals has been implemented. There seems to be no sense of urgency with regard to the 90,000 children living in poverty. While the Minister has established a new review group, 90,000 children live in consistent poverty. How will the Minister deal with that now?

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