David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I have called for a full debate on poverty on a number of occasions in this House in recent months. The Leader indicated he would consider hosting such a debate but up to now he has not come back with any timeframe or date. A number of reports have been published since I made those calls. A report by the Irish League of Credit Unions, published last week, reveals that 1.82 million people are left with less than €100 per month of disposal income after they pay their household bills. It also shows that 69% of people will have less money at the end of this year than they had at the end of last year. A report by Social Justice Ireland, published yesterday, shows that the gap between the rich and the poor has increased. It shows that low income families and people who are out of work are suffering because of the austerity measures and policies in place and that there are more people living in poverty this year than there were last year and previous years.

It was on the back of a CSO report published a number of months ago that I sought a debate on poverty. That report shows that the top 10% of earners in this State have seen their disposable income increase while everybody else has seen their disposable income reduce. That is one of the most important debates that we could have in this Chamber. Every issue is important but when there are people living in poverty who do not have money to pay even basic bills and there are people who have no money left over after paying those basic bills yet policies are still being put in place, and may well be put in place in the next budget, which will force more people into poverty, it is important that we debate the matter.

Combat Poverty was disbanded by the previous Government. There is a real opportunity for this House to play its part in ensuring there is a constructive and worthwhile debate on the causes and effects of poverty and on what actions we can advocate the Government should take to reduce the number of people living in poverty bearing in mind that far too many people in this State live in poverty. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, subject to the Leader's response to my request, that we have a debate on poverty in this House today and that the Minister for Finance would take it.