Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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51. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on any and all discussions with the Department of Social Protection as to the way in which to reduce child poverty in line the better outcomes brighter futures framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40175/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The reduction of child poverty is a key political priority for me as a minister. I am fully committed to working with my colleagues in Government, particularly Minister Varadkar, in ensuring a collaborative approach to tackle child poverty. In June, Minister Varadkar and I both addressed a conference on child poverty organised by the Children's Rights Alliance. Both Minister Varadkar and I agree on the need for a whole of government response to child poverty.

The Government set a child-specific poverty target in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures to reduce consistent child poverty by at least two-thirds by 2020. This figure currently represents 97,000 children. I chair the Policy Consortium that leads the work of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futuresto drive key actions, including those on child poverty.

To progress this priority, the Department of Social Protection are working with my Department and others on developing an implementation plan for reaching the child poverty target in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. This reflects the active work across government in developing a multi dimensional approach comprising key issues in this area, such as social transfers and income supports (DSP), childcare, family support and prevention and early intervention (DCYA), DEIS (DES) and health (DH). This should be finalised in time to go to the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Consortium for approval in February 2017.

This plan was informed by officials from other departments, as well as from members of the Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, which brings together key community and voluntary sector organisations, as well as independent experts with experience working with and for children and young people.

My Department, in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection, held an EU Peer Review in February 2016 with 10 EU countries to explore innovative responses in prevention and early intervention to improve outcomes for children - in particular those experiencing child poverty and disadvantage. The learning from this peer review is informing our efforts in embedding prevention and early intervention in services for children and young people in Ireland as part of a multi dimensional approach to addressing child poverty.