Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Child poverty is a huge concern for the Government and I know the Taoiseach is committed to addressing it. I always go back to Carlow and Kilkenny as I know so much about the issues there. A few years ago, Fr. Dunphy, I and other members set up what would technically be called a soup kitchen but which we call St. Clare’s Hospitality Kitchen, through which we give food to families and children and give out food parcels. However, we do not get a grant and we cannot get funding from the Government. That needs to be addressed.

At the moment, volunteers are running the service. We are always looking for funding. As there are so many families coming to St. Clare's Hospitality Kitchen, I ask that a funding stream be provided.

A related issue is that while I welcome all the DEIS schools this year and the amount allocated in that regard last year, there is confusion regarding DEIS status, as I have always said. In my area of Carlow, Tullow and the surrounds, there is a boys' school that is in DEIS 1 and a girls' school that is in DEIS 2. Those in the boys' school get breakfast while those in the girls' school do not. The latter school does not qualify for other supports. These issues need to be addressed. They are good schools and a significant amount of work has gone into the scheme.

Last weekend, I met with couples I know well who went to work abroad. Many of them went to Canada, Dubai or other areas eight or nine years ago when there were issues with engineering and so on. Many of them have now returned home with children. They cannot get a place in a crèche because there is a two-year wait for places. They cannot get a doctor or a dentist or the other services they need. I ask that this issue be considered. It needs to be addressed.

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