Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister pointed to a number of improvements outlined by the SILC data. The SILC data have once again shown consistent poverty among lone-parent families, which are four times more likely to be in poverty than households that are headed by two adults. In some cases, there were across-the-board increases. For people aged over 65, there were increases in those at risk of poverty, increases in deprivation and increases in consistent poverty. In relation to those who are unable to work due to long-standing health problems, there were increases across the board. Their at-risk rating for poverty is up, for deprivation is up and there is a consistent poverty rating at almost 20%. While there are some improvements, and many of those are at the higher levels, this is not the case for older people and for people with long-standing health problems. I presume that those with long-standing health problems include persons with a disability. It is a pity that they are not broken down separately. Poverty is increasing for a number of vulnerable households. That has to be acknowledged. The Minister said she was informed by evidence. The MESL research is telling her that social welfare rates are below the poverty line. We need to look at those rates.

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