Dáil debates

Thursday, 25 September 2014

10:20 am

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

12. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his strategy for addressing child poverty in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35760/14]

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister to set out his strategy for addressing the growing problems of child poverty and food poverty.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Support for families who require income support to meet basic needs is provided through the social welfare system, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. A range of income supports is available to parents who are unemployed or on low incomes. The Department of Social Protection also has lead responsibility for the national action plan for social inclusion.

As provided for in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020, the Department of Social Protection, under commitment 4.2, has lead responsibility for a national child-specific social target to lift 70,000 children out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two thirds on the 2011 level. This target will include reducing the poverty rate for households with children, which is consistently higher when compared with households without children and for children as compared with adults. It is expected that this commitment will be addressed on a cross-departmental basis.

My Department is working on a number of initiatives which are relevant in addressing issues related to children poverty. It is, for example, leading the implementation of the area based childhood programme, better known as the ABC programme. The programme is being co-funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and will have a total funding allocation of up to €29.7 million. The programme draws on best international practice to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched and improve the outcomes for children and young people and existing services.

In terms of other provision, my Department is spending €260 million annually on three child care support programmes which provide child care to 100,000 children. A number of these programmes are targeted at those on lowest incomes. My Department also provides funding for targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at-risk young people through three schemes. The three programmes are the special projects for youth scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund and the local drugs task forces. In addition, national and regional youth work organisations are supported under my Department's youth service grant scheme. In 2014, current funding of €49.78 million has been provided to my Department for these schemes.

10:30 am

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A recent research report states that almost one in five teachers stated that they have seen an increase in the number of children arriving at school hungry over the past year. The study polled more than 500 primary and secondary schoolteachers. Some 40% stated that they had taken food into the school for a child who was regularly hungry. That is a serious indictment of society. Some 19% of teachers stated that they saw children arrive hungry for lessons every day, while one in three teachers stated that they had children falling asleep in the classroom due to a lack of food and to neglect. Another survey also confirmed that one in five children goes to bed hungry because of the lack of food in the house.

The Minister quite correctly stated that the Department of Social Protection has a responsibility and that there are services provided by that Department, but perhaps there is a need for an awareness campaign as well. I would ask the Minister to liaise with the Department of Social Protection and endeavour in the forthcoming budget to get more relevant funding to address the issue that is growing by the week.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Through the implementation of the Department's document, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, and its supporting strategies, the Government aims to achieve the following transformational goals to support the achievement of better outcomes for all children and to address the concerns that Deputy Tom Fleming raised. One of the most important aspects to address in this context is support for the parents. Parents will experience improved support in the important task of parenting and feel more confident, informed and able. These are the goals. As I mentioned, a key target for earlier intervention and prevention is to lift more than 70,000 children out of consistent poverty. The programme also focuses on issues such as improving access to affordable early years education and addressing childhood obesity and youth mental health issues. It seeks to shift the emphasis from crisis intervention to prevention and early intervention.

We want to promote a culture that listens to and involves children and young people. The Government will promote a culture which not only recognises, protects and fulfils the rights of children and young people, but also encourages them to become actively involved in public life. Last week there was a good event run by UNICEF at which more than 150 children expressed their will and desires and what they felt were the priorities, not only on national issues but also global ones.

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Much of this is generated by difficulties faced by what is called the squeezed middle. I would refer to these as being the new poor. In many cases, they are good members of society who have played their part down through the years in being model members of their communities. At present, they are faced with considerable difficulties and problems. I refer to all their overheads, not only mortgages but charges for various services, increasing taxes and crèche costs. Preschool costs are also on the up. Many of these parents are perhaps a little embarrassed to come forward and seek help from social services and the Department of Social Protection. We need to identify the root of the problem. Something must be done. The children are victims. I ask the Minister to use his good offices to correct matters in this regard.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Fleming for his comments. It is a serious matter, from the Government's perspective, to help the parents of whom he speaks who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much in helping the economy recover. That is why it is so important in the budget that our focus will be on continuing reform of the tax system in order that more unemployed people are encouraged to go back to work, because every person who comes off the live register saves the taxpayer €20,000 per annum and that funding then becomes available for the services the Deputy mentioned. The Government's aim is to continue the recovery of the economy to the benefit of the people and not only for the benefit of the economy itself.

Photo of Michael KittMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Question No. 13 is in the name of Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan. Deputy O'Sullivan is not present and we will go on to Question No. 14.

Question No. 13 replied to with Written Answers.