Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section:

"2. The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both houses of the Oireachtas a report on the rate of relative income poverty in the State.".

This amendment has been proposed to help Members of the Oireachtas to keep tabs on the problems of the poor people of this country. What is the best way of measuring the number of people who are risk? I accept that people other than those who are unemployed can be at risk of poverty. We know that people with low-paid jobs can also be at risk. How can we measure poverty accurately? We need to focus on those who most deserve our attention. I would like to hear what the Minister has to say on this matter.