Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In Spring 2023, a Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office was established in the Department of the Taoiseach.

Government decided that the Programme Office will focus on six priority areas. These are:

1.Income assistance and joblessness

2.Early learning and childcare

3.Reducing the cost of education

4.Family homelessness

5.Consolidating and integrating public health, family & parental assistance, and well-being services

6.Enhancing participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty.

These areas were selected because they are areas of interventions that have the potential to bring about significant change for children and families living in poverty.

The Programme Office is now fully staffed and is currently working on a multi-annual programme plan.

Relevant officials from the Department of the Taoiseach will meet with representatives from the DEIS schools to discuss their concerns, and they will follow up accordingly.