Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures that will be taken between her Department and the Department of Social Protection to end child poverty here, in line with the new EU recommendations Investing in Children: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12142/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission Recommendation "Investing in Children - Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage" is part of the "Social Investment Package" published by the European Commission in February. Because of the complex nature of the package, it will be necessary to coordinate initial positions across all relevant Government Departments. The Department of Social Protection recently wrote to my Department proposing that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs nominate a representative to a network of relevant Departments which the Department of Social Protection is establishing to facilitate appropriate input for all of the relevant policy areas in the development of Ireland's position on the Social Investment Package. I am glad to say that my Department will be part of the network and I look forward to working with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection and other colleagues in relation to the Social Investment Package and the European Commission Recommendation on Investing in Children.