Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I thank the Ministers of State, Deputies McGuinness, Seán Power, Devins and Noel Ahern who attended this debate. At one stage I thought all the junior Ministers would attend. As welcome as they all are, we had hoped the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, would be able to attend. It is a pity he was not here, but we are glad to see the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, here.

I also thank Senator Prendergast for seconding the motion and other Senators for contributing to the discussion, including Senators Corrigan, McFadden, Boyle, Bacik, Donohoe, Ormonde, Norris, Butler, Quinn, McDonald and Healy Eames. Their contributions were all worthwhile.

Senator Prendergast and I, and the Labour Party, tabled this motion because we want to highlight the ongoing scandal of the high level of child poverty in Ireland and, more importantly, the apparent indifference of the Government to the problem. We accept measures and initiatives are being implemented in different Departments, but they lack an overall strategy and vision and the results speak for themselves. As we pointed out, in 2007 the percentage of children living in poverty was higher than in 2001.

Senator Corrigan made some interesting points with her amendment and mentioned some figures. We could trade statistics all evening. The Minister of State also trotted out figures pointing out how good the situation is. Perhaps the situation is better than in the 1990s, but it is not yet a record of which we should be proud.

We had a long and interesting debate about consistent and relative poverty. One thing that jumped out from the Minister of State's speech was the figure for consistent poverty. In 2007, 20% of lone parent households were in consistent poverty. Senator Norris raised the point about the lady who lost her husband before Christmas. One in five lone parent families in consistent poverty is not a record of which we can be proud. Even if we agree to leave the statistics aside, the reality is that tens of thousands of children are living in poverty and being denied basic support services.

Senator McFadden talked about the difficulties many children face in getting through to the ISPCC. Senators Bacik and Healy Eames mentioned the impact on children of the latest education cuts. Senator Donohoe mentioned some harrowing tales of young people in his constituency and the lack of facilities. He suggested some worthwhile improvements.

If the Minister of State does not believe us about the situation, he should talk to organisations involved in the End Child Poverty coalition. They deal with these issues on a daily basis. Voluntary organisations are filling the gaps left by the Government's inaction. Senator Quinn mentioned organising Christmas dinners in the past. I remember reading Christina Noble's autobiography and about her experience organising Christmas dinners in Vietnam. We need to help organisations like the Christina Noble Foundation, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the ISPCC in their work.

Senator Boyle will know well from a previous existence the complexity of the issues. He mentioned this, as did Senator Ormonde who has tremendous experience in the area of disadvantage and education. We are lucky to have these people in the House. We too recognise the complexity of the issue of child poverty. However, it is an issue we hope Senators Boyle and Ormonde will take to Government and champion. Senators McDonald and Butler indicated they would be willing to do that and I would appreciate their doing so.

The End Child Poverty coalition set out a clear, consistent strategy and agenda for the reduction and ultimate elimination of child poverty. I urge the Government to engage directly with the coalition and discuss its proposals with the proposals presented here tonight and come up with a plan of action.

I thank all the Ministers of State and Senators who attended this debate for their valuable and worthwhile contributions. It should be the role of the Government to create an environment where children can grow up free of poverty and achieve their full potential. We will all — children, society and everyone here — be losers if we condemn thousands of children to poverty. As a nation, we should aspire to be the best. Therefore, we should work to eliminate child poverty and to make Ireland the best place in the world for children to grow up in.