Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In spring 2023 a child poverty and well-being programme office was established in the Department of the Taoiseach. The programme office will focus on six areas: income assistance and joblessness; early learning and childcare; reducing the cost of education; family homelessness; consolidating and integrating public health, family and parental assistance, and well-being services; and enhancing participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty. These areas were selected because they are areas of interventions that have the potential to bring about significant change for children and families living in poverty.

The Government's vision is to make Ireland the best country in Europe in which to be a child. That is important not only because we want every child to be happy and well cared for but also because happy childhoods are the foundation of realising broader economic, environmental and social goals.

The role of the Department of the Taoiseach is to co-ordinate and focus Government action. In line with this, the purpose of the child poverty and well-being programme office is twofold: monitor specified policy commitments by Departments and their agencies and drive focused action; and undertake a number of strategic cross-Government initiatives that have the potential to increase the effectiveness of current and emerging measures to fight child poverty and promote child well-being. The programme office is now fully staffed and is currently working on a multi-annual programme plan.

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