Campaign group attacks Govt's anti-poverty policies

Anti-poverty campaigners have slammed the Government's policies on tackling poverty as a "catalogue of missed targets and opportunities".

The European Anti-Poverty Network says the Government's actions in the areas of tax and social welfare mean that Ireland has one of the highest rates of poverty in the EU, despite its economic success.

The group, which includes representatives of lone parents, the homeless and the unemployed, says despite Ireland's wealth, the country still has undeveloped social systems and poor public services.

Speaking as he prepared to make a submission on the matter to the Oireachtas committee on social and family affairs today, EPAN spokesman Robin Hanan said: "We're living in a country that can afford to deal with poverty and it isn't happening."