Seanad debates

Thursday, 23 March 2006

Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages.

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Michael McCarthyMichael McCarthy (Labour)

I support this amendment. Other methods must be employed to alleviate and eventually eliminate child poverty because, without being flippant, throwing money at the problem will not succeed. Senator Terry has eloquently outlined cases where children attend school without clean, warm clothing, fail to have a warm meal one in every two or three days and lack a sufficient red meat diet. These are worrying facts brought to us by the Combat Poverty Agency and other anti-poverty agencies.

It is very important to bear in mind that many aspects of the Celtic tiger and the economic prosperity we have enjoyed in recent years have masked these problems. They have not ceased but exist under the surface. Many of those affected do not have a voice and cannot articulate their circumstances. The organisations studying these issues tell us that other measures must be put in place to alleviate child poverty. Has the Minister considered any measures, other than child income support and child benefit, to eliminate child poverty?

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