Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In a country with as much wealth as Ireland, no child should have to live in poverty. Social Justice Ireland found that there are 190,000 children living in households experiencing poverty. This is a shocking figure. It is a shame on our country that this is allowed to happen. These children are the real victims of the policies of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in the past decade. The members of those Governments should be here to answer questions about these children and why they have to live in poverty.

The Government and the Minister have talked about solving the housing crisis. I do not believe the Housing for All plan will deliver. There are children living in accommodation now who are worried about having a roof over their heads, as are their parents. These people have problems that need to be addressed right now, today, not in five years' or ten years' time as that policy suggests. The problem when it comes to poverty and homelessness is that the attitude of the Government is to deal with it in the medium to long term whereas the fact is that it needs to take action now.

The Tánaiste tells us that now is not the time for a living wage. This at a time when one in ten children live in constant poverty and many of their parents cannot afford to work, live, pay for childcare or put food on the table. When will be the right time for a living wage? I am asking the Minister that question. He is part of the Government. Why is a living wage not being brought in? The Government is failing to address the increased energy and heating costs that are coming in. Not alone are there children in poverty, there will be children living in cold and damp conditions this winter. They will probably be hoping that Santa will bring them coal to put on the fire because their parents will not have the money to buy fuel. These children are living in poverty and that is the fall-out from decades of Government policy. We hear the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach talking about pensions and paying mortgages for landlords when there are children going hungry every night. It is not good enough.

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