Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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118. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his view on the recent Central Statistics Office statistics which show an increase in the poverty rates among children in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21712/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The latest SILC statistics published last month show that consistent poverty, which is the most relevant indicator for setting the child poverty target, increased from 4.8% in 2023 to 8.5% in 2024 for the 0-17 age group. 15.3% of children are at risk of poverty and with 8.5% living in consistent poverty, this represents an estimated number of 102,977 children.

While these figures are very disappointing, it is important to note that these statistics do not take account of Budget 2024, Budget 2025 or any cost-of-living measures that were paid in 2024, as they are based on the 2023 incomes of those surveyed.

In 2023, the year in which the SILC income data was collected, the Government had not yet brought in free school meals for all primary schools, or free school books at second level. These supports will make a difference to children in poverty and will be reflected in poverty figures in future.

Similarly, the significant increases in social welfare contained in Budgets 2024 and the associated cost of living measures worth over €2.3 billion were not included in the SILC statistics.

The Government' determination to reduce child poverty is reflected in the establishment of the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2023. This coincided with the time period during which the latest SILC figures were collected.

It takes time to see the impact of our work in the data, and that is why we are also determined to keep making progress, even if that is not always immediately reflective in the statistics. We are determined and committed to see this commitment through.

Government is clear that we need to target support where they are needed most, and I am particularly concerned about what is happening to families on the lowest incomes. That is why we increased the Child Support Payment significantly in Budget 2025, and the threshold for Working Family Payment.

Budget 2025 also included lump sum payments to those in receipt of the Child Support Payment and Working Family Payment.

The Government is determined to continue to deliver measures aimed at reducing the poverty rates for children.