Celtic Tiger failed to tackle child poverty, warns charity

The Celtic Tiger economy has failed to deal with persistently high rates of child poverty, a leading charity warned today.

And despite years of record economic growth, Barnardos claimed one in nine children is still living below the breadline.

According to a new study published by the group, around a fifth of youngsters face poverty-related problems and lack access to healthcare, housing and education.

The Tomorrow’s Child report warned that vulnerable children will continue to suffer unless the Government tackles inequality and disadvantage.

“High rates of child poverty are a reflection of a low-tax, low-spend, low-redistribution model of development pursued under the Celtic Tiger economy,” said Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay.

“As long as this continues to be Ireland’s model of development, problems of child poverty and childhood adversity will persist.

“Many of tomorrow’s children have ample opportunities and increased standards of living, but as a society we must be judged by how we treat those children left behind by the wealth of the Celtic Tiger.”

The report is to be launched in Dublin tomorrow at the opening of a major two-day conference on challenges that are likely to shape children’s lives.

Some of the key findings of the Tomorrow’s Child study are:

:: Early school leaving and large class sizes remain serious problems with one in three children in disadvantaged communities having severe reading and writing problems.

:: Traveller children face a life of inequality, discrimination and adversity.

:: Public services for children at risk are poorly developed, with waiting lists, unmet need and an absence of emergency services.

:: Children at high risk of poverty will leave school early with minimal or no qualifications and literacy or numeracy may be marginal.

:: Ireland has one of the lowest levels of provision for early childhood education and care services.

Mr Finlay criticised the Government for failing to take tough decisions in the Budget to address child poverty.

“The recent Budget yet again highlighted that Government priorities do not lie in tackling the persistent inequality and disadvantage facing children and young people across Ireland,” he said.

“Given the current economic crisis, this is a critical time to look back at how we have responded to the needs of our most vulnerable children and young people and to look forward at what we need to do now and into the future to create a more equal Ireland for all our children.”

The report, compiled by consultant Brian Harvey, warned disadvantaged children leave school early, with minimal or no qualifications, and poor numeracy and literacy.

“Although the Tomorrow’s Child report finds many positive trends for Irish children today, the report notes the striking persistence of child poverty, the low level of public services for children in need and the continued inequality in access to opportunities, education and health because of social class in Ireland,” said Mr Harvey.

“As the report states ’These are not just social trends, but political choices’.”

The report also said Tomorrow’s Child is likely to be a single child or have only one or two siblings; change jobs many times; live abroad; less likely to enter traditional jobs such as teaching, public service, banking or police.

It warned they will work to the age of 70 and prepare for a pension from their late teens.

They will also be under ever greater electronic surveillance by the state and face problems of identity theft and error.