James Reilly grilled by UN on Ireland’s adherence to rights of the child

The high number of children living in poverty; the housing shortage that sees families living in hotels; and the lives of Travellers, who have an infant mortality rate three times the average, were all raised by members of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

While the Government blamed the lack of funds due to the economic crisis for cutbacks in areas that affect the lives of young people, Children’s Minister James Reilly, attending the day-long hearing in Geneva, said employment is the best way out of poverty.

Leading members of the committee, which was examining how Ireland was abiding by the convention, raised a host of issues whereby they believe the country is breaching its obligations to children.