Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Senator probably does not need to second it until we come back in. I am looking for a debate on combating poverty. I know we have had lots of discussions about the cost-of-living crisis but there is a risk of us merging the two concepts. The cost-of-living crisis will affect many communities across different social classes, employments and professions but poverty has been a consistent cause of suffering for many communities for generations. Even though I care very much about the cost of living, I am also very mindful that when we have a cost-of-living crisis or recession, people in many communities have the capacity to bounce back from that and still have some level of safety because of their professional background, family connections or the safety afforded by having their own home. However, when it comes to poverty, the level of resilience is very different and people are pushed beyond any normal amount of resilience anyone should ever be expected to have. I read a small booklet this morning by John Bissett, who is a mentor and friend of mine. I think it came through the post but it was about the power of the arts in enacting social change. It stated:

I have learned that it is difficult to express the raw emotion of suffering while at the same time exploring deeply political themes and retain the interest of those affected without lecturing or alienating them.

It really stood out for me. After being in here for six or seven years constantly talking about communities like mine and how hard it is, I sometimes feel that at some level, they even begin to resist that because it is very hard to acknowledge how hard it is and still survive and have humour, hope, desire, ambition and aspiration. It would be good for all of us to really look at combating poverty as a targeted measure. We used to have the Combat Poverty Agency but we no longer have such an agency. Perhaps it is time for us to consider having some sort of agency looking at poverty in and of itself.