Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I wish to reiterate that we are disappointed by the latest child poverty figures. However, it is important to recognise that in 2023, when the SILC income data was collected, the Government had not yet brought in free school meals for all primary schools, which we have now done, or free school books across second level, which we have now done. Those supports will make a difference to children in poverty. It will be reflected in future figures. Similarly, the significant increases in social welfare contained in budget 2024 and the associated cost-of-living measures, which were worth more than €2.3 billion, were not included in the SILC income statistics and neither was the €2.6 billion budget 2025 social welfare package. However, we do not take that for granted.

I can assure the Deputy that our determination to reduce child poverty is reflected in the programme for Government commitments and in the work of the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office. Since 2023, this is based in the Department of the Taoiseach. It will take time to see the impact of the work of that unit on the data. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, independently shows that the system of social transfer has been effective in reducing child poverty.

Current child-related cash and in-kind benefits have lifted an estimated 157,000 children out of income poverty and 94,000 out of consistent poverty.

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