Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy TD has expressed his alarm at new figures confirming a disturbing increase in the child poverty rate in Ireland. He described it as evidence of a failure of Government policy in the area.

Deputy Troy was commenting on a Caritas study revealing that the child poverty rate in this country is now up to 19.7%. The report shows that the situation in Ireland is worsening, as families struggle to cope with the impact of a series of budgets unfairly targeting families.

Deputy Troy commented, “This report makes depressing reading, especially in the context of the children’s referendum passed less than six months ago. The plight of marginalised children is a test of any Government’s policy and evidence that the child poverty rate is soaring in this country must surely been seen as evidence of Government failure.

“The last budget had a particularly negative impact on families. Cuts to child benefit, slashing the back to school allowance for the second year running and taxing maternity benefit all combined to create what Fianna Fáil has described as an anti-family budget. The effect that this anti-family budget is having on children is clear and it is alarming. The fact that this surge in child poverty is happening under the direction and stewardship of a Labour Party Minister is a damning indictment on the performance of that party in Government.

“I would call on the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald to bring this report to Cabinet and to stand up for the interests of children in a way that she has clearly failed to do to date.”
ENDS