Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs about his Department's plans for sustaining the work of Preparing for Life, area based childhood programme, from September 2016 onwards in order to improve child and family outcomes in areas of greatest disadvantage. Some 138,000 children are now living in poverty. Consistent poverty has increased from 6.8% in 2008 to 11.7% today. Some 37,000 children will be living in poverty in 2020. Some 1,054 children are homeless. When will we see action to come up with practical and sensible solutions to assist these children, particularly at an early stage in their lives?

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