Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Does the Minister agree that poverty is a complex issue which employment by itself will not resolve for everyone? The assumption that poverty can be addressed ignores the reality of the working poor, those who have disabilities and dependancies and the like. Does the Minister agree that a specific target is necessary if real progress on poverty reduction is to be made? Does he agree that under the Lisbon strategy the European Union made a commitment to make a decisive impact on poverty by 2010 and failed to do so? In 2000, some 16% of the population of the European Union were at risk of poverty and by 2008, some 17% were at risk. Given the current climate, does the Minister agree that is an underestimation of those who are at risk of poverty?

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