One in five children at risk of poverty - report

A new report has found almost one in every five children is at risk of poverty in Ireland.

Social Justice Ireland said the income of a household of four on social welfare is currently €80 a week below the poverty line.

Spokesperson Sean Healy is arguing strongly against cuts to child benefit in the budget.

He told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children that child poverty cannot be dealt with in isolation.

"You can’t take the child out of poverty without taking the household out of poverty," he said.