Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday's CSO survey on income and living conditions has been the topic of much discussion, including in this House. It revealed that more than 1 million people suffered enforced deprivation in 2013, which was more than double the figure prior to the economic crash. Suddenly, for the media and many politicians, poverty and deprivation sprang back up on the radar.

However, I raised this issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, during the debate on the Finance Bill last year. I reminded him that behind all the statistics and announcements of growth and job creation, lay a grim reality that does not feature very much in parliamentary discourse, unless a report like that released yesterday arises. We often see, however, that such reports are swiftly forgotten once the headlines die down.

Recent European Commission data show that Ireland has much higher levels of deprivation and poverty than most other comparable EU countries. At present, material deprivation in Ireland is around 58% higher than the EU-15 average. A quarter of Ireland's population live in material deprivation. When I raised this issue with the Minister of State at that time, I recalled Michael Taft's blog. He said the fact that 1 million people are living in deprivation and nearly one in three children suffer deprivation is an economic, social and moral indictment of the priorities of a Government that privileges tax cuts over poverty reduction.

Last year, an ESRI report showed that those on the lowest incomes have lost the greatest amount of household income as a result of budget 2015. We are seeing a terrible picture emerging. The ESRI report said that budget 2015 will have its greatest impact on the 10% of households with the lowest incomes. It is impossible for us to enhance growth if we are burdened with these deprivation levels. We need to prevent the further development of a two-tier economy. In light of yesterday's CSO survey, will the Leader arrange a debate on poverty, income distribution and material deprivation? It is important to have such a debate as soon as possible.