Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

There is still poverty in Ireland. I made the point that the target of 2% that we set has been reached, and I stand by that. We have changed the measure, and one does not need too many studies to see that there is poverty among lone parents, some older people, the unemployed and so on. There is still unacceptable poverty, particularly child poverty, which has no place in Ireland in the 21st century. The answer is to target the money available through the welfare system, something very much true of the recent budget, and co-ordinate across the Government policies on education, health, welfare and employment. The last-named is ultimately the best way to attack poverty. All those are powering ahead, and we have set new targets under the new measure.

Regarding activation, I am not sure that I understand the question. Lone parents are not currently subject to the FÁS activation programme, and neither are those on disability benefits. However, both cases are being closely examined, the former in the context of our previous discussion on lone parents, and the latter in a general examination of how we can lend more support in training and education to those with disabilities.

See this speech in context