Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

One of the first things I tabled in this Dáil was a motion drafted by the Social Democrats for the eradication of consistent poverty among children. Unfortunately, the Government rejected it. We have not seen the reduction or eradication of consistent poverty among children that we need. The State of the Nation's Children report for 2023 was published earlier today. Instead of a reduction, there has been an increase in the numbers of children at risk of poverty and in those experiencing consistent poverty. We now have 191,000 children at risk of poverty and 94,000 in consistent poverty. Despite the Taoiseach giving a firm commitment that he would stamp this out, unfortunately the figures continue to rise. What is the Government going do to give children a better start in life and eradicate once and for all consistent poverty among children?

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