Poor families rich in family relationships
That was the verdict of a pioneering study launched yesterday which revealed first hand the impact of poverty on 30 families and their children.
The Against All Odds - Family Life on Low Income study also found two-thirds of households surveyed had no money left over in a typical week and many were in arrears in normal expenditure like rent, electricity and phone. The Combat Poverty Agency, which commissioned the study, said it highlights the need for the Government to provide a minimum €150 weekly social welfare payment as quickly as possible. Child benefit must also be raised to €34.50 a week and higher payments given for older children, Combat Poverty Director Helen Johnston said. “Increases in social welfare payments, as well as payments to those on employment and training schemes, have to be a key part to any response,” Ms Johnston added.
