Time to address poverty among children and young people

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society.  Over 213,000 children in Ireland are at risk of poverty and over 414,000 of all children in Ireland are experiencing deprivation.  A further very concerning trend that has emerged in Ireland is the significant increase in the number of young people aged 18-24 who are at risk of poverty.  Since 2008 this figure has increased by 13 percentage points.

The incidence of poverty among children and young people is unacceptable. To move children out of poverty, they and their families must be supported through investment in universal services throughout the lifecycle and access to adequate income supports. 

To address youth poverty the unemployment benefit for under 25s should be immediately restored to the adult rate and care must be taken to ensure that the employment available to young people can provide them with predictable working hours and a wage that can provide them with a minimum essential standard of living.

In the run up to the election Social Justice Ireland has produced a short briefing on Children and Young People outlining some key challenges and policy recommendations.  To read more on this issue please click here