John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

The Minister has one of the largest portfolios and there are many questions on the agenda today that affect many people. I am absolutely appalled the Minister is the only Government Deputy present today. I hope the media will take that into consideration.

New research by Social Justice Ireland shows that poverty in Ireland is at an all time high. Since 1987 the income of the top 10% high earners has increased to the detriment of the least well off in society. One in ten children now lives in consistent poverty, a scandalous figure. That figure increased by half last year under the Fianna Fáil Government, largely as a result of its social protection policies.

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