Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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115. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is concerned that Budget 2026 will increase child poverty; the measures she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59244/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Child poverty requires a cross-governmental response, and I am committed to supporting the broader Government action to combat child poverty. This includes the recently announced Child Poverty Target which is set at 3% or lower by the end of 2030, and the delivery of a budget that has prioritised targeted and focused investment to support those most in need.

The ESRI has estimated that Budget 2026 measures will lift around 2,000 children out of income poverty, and this represents the first year of the Government’s multi-year plan to meet the target.

In addition, I would note that the Child Poverty and Wellbeing Office in the Department of the Taoiseach was established in 2023 to coordinate government actions that reduce child poverty and foster children’s well-being.

Addressing child poverty is also one of the priorities highlighted in Young Ireland, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, and measures in the most recent budget reflect this priority.

In this Department there will be funding provided in 2026 for a range of measures that support affordability, access and quality of services, with more than 286,000 individual children set to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme, continued implementation of the universal Early Childhood Care and Education programme, benefiting approximately 105,250 children, continued support for the Equal Start funding model with 37,000 children set to benefit in 2026 and continued delivery of AIM supports - designed to ensure that children with disabilities can fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and beyond, thereby reaping the benefits of quality early learning and care and realising the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Additional budget was secured to strengthen the national network of Family Resource Centres and bring spending on core funding to €25m in total, which will see the network grow to 136. 2026 will also be the fourth successive year where Tusla’s budget exceeds €1billion now reaching over €1.4 billion. This will be used to provide vital frontline services to children and families.