Nearly 40% of children are at risk of poverty

Almost two in five children are at risk of poverty in Ireland, despite the country still ranking among the three wealthiest in the EU.

The latest statistics come as the European Commission warns that cutting spending in the name of competitiveness actually jeopardises future competitiveness and longer-term prosperity.

Ireland ranks fifth in the EU for the proportion of its children under the age of 18 who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.