Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

745. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he accepts the ESRI’s finding that one in five Irish children are living in poverty once housing costs are accounted for; and if so, the specific measures he intends to take to address this situation. [48345/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Reducing child poverty is a key priority for this Government and, as Minister for Social Protection, I am determined to make inroads on this critical issue.

The recent research by the Economic and Social Research Institute and Community Foundation Ireland, affirms the significant work that we need to continue, and to do, to tackle child poverty. This and other research, as well as stakeholder events such as the Child Poverty and Well-Being Summit hosted by the Taoiseach on 11th September, will help inform the Government in our consideration of measures to reduce child poverty, including those that may be contained in Budget 2026.

The setting of a new and ambitious Child Poverty Target is a commitment set out in the Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future. This commitment is also set out in the Government’s national strategy to reduce poverty, the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2025-2030.

Based on these commitments, and a public consultation process that took place last year, the Government agreed a new Child Poverty Target on 10th September.

This new Target is set at 3% or less, based on consistent poverty, which measures both the rates of At Risk of Poverty and Deprivation, to be achieved by the end of 2030.

This goal is very ambitious, reflecting a reduction of 5.5% from the current child consistent poverty rate of 8.5%, which is based on the CSO’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2024, published in March 2025 and based on 2023 income data.

In addition, the Child Poverty and Wellbeing Programme Office in Department of the Taoiseach is developing a Dashboard of Indicators, which will allow for a more holistic measurement of child poverty and wellbeing.

In the years ahead, the new Child Poverty Target will guide and focus our cross-Government policies and ensure investment is targeted at the children who need it the most.

Given the complex and multi-faceted nature of child poverty, a whole of Government approach is essential to deliver the new Target. Along with targeted income supports for families and children, we will need continued and targeted actions in relation to key areas such as employment, housing, health, childcare and education. This will require significant investment over the lifetime of this Government.

These targeted cross-Government actions will be outlined in the successor to the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025, which is being currently developed by the Department of Social Protection and will have a key focus on child poverty. This strategy is due to be published in the first half of 2026.

In the shorter term, the Government has made clear its priority that the forthcoming Budget 2026 will see a focus on targeted measures to reduce child poverty. However, tackling child poverty will require continued focus across several Budgets over the lifetime of the Government.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

746. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will examine the proposal from ESRI researchers for a second-tier, targeted child benefit, to better protect children in low-income households. [48346/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

753. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the specific reforms being proposed or considered to introduce a second-tier child benefit, as recommended in the ESRI report of 9 September 2025 on child poverty. [48416/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 746 and 753 together.

Child Benefit is a monthly payment to families with children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability. It is paid in respect of almost 1.3 million children. Expenditure on the scheme is estimated at over €2.2 billion in 2025.

It is important to note that, in addition to Child Benefit, families on low incomes may be able to avail of other social welfare payments:

• the Child Support Payment with primary social welfare payments, €62 per week for those aged 12 and over, and €50 per week for under 12s.;
• the Working Family Payment for low-paid employees with children; and
• the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

747. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the means by which he intends to meet the Government’s child poverty reduction targets, given the ESRI’s conclusion that there has been “no real progress” in this area since the financial crisis. [48347/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Reducing child poverty and ensuring every child has the best start in life are key priorities for this Government and, as Minister for Social Protection, I am determined to make inroads on this critical issue.

The setting of a new and ambitious Child Poverty Target is a commitment set out in the Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future. This commitment is also set out in the Government’s national strategy to reduce poverty, the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2025-2030.

Based on these commitments, and a public consultation process that took place last year, the Government agreed a new Child Poverty Target on 10th September.

This new Target is set at 3% or less, based on consistent poverty, which measures both the rates of At Risk of Poverty and Deprivation, to be achieved by the end of 2030.

This goal is very ambitious, reflecting a reduction of 5.5% from the current child consistent poverty rate of 8.5%, which is based on the CSO’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions 2024, published in March 2025 and based on 2023 income data.

In addition, the Child Poverty and Wellbeing Programme Office in Department of the Taoiseach is developing a Dashboard of Indicators, which will allow for a more holistic measurement of child poverty and wellbeing.

In the years ahead, the new Child Poverty Target will guide and focus our cross-Government policies and ensure investment is targeted at the children who need it the most.

Given the complex and multi-faceted nature of child poverty, a whole of Government approach is essential to deliver the new Target. Along with targeted income supports for families and children, we will need continued and targeted actions in relation to key areas such as employment, housing, health, childcare and education. This will require significant investment over the lifetime of this Government.

These targeted cross-Government actions will be outlined in the successor to the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025, which is being currently developed by the Department of Social Protection and will have a key focus on child poverty. This strategy is due to be published in the first half of 2026.

In the shorter term, the Government has made clear its priority that the forthcoming Budget 2026 will see a focus on targeted measures to reduce child poverty.