Politicians must continue to 'back' child poverty projects, forum hears

Children's Rights Alliance chief executive Tanya Ward said come election time, 'economic developments take over the debate, and it becomes less about something like child poverty'. Picture: Julien Behal

People working to end child poverty in Ireland have “the talent to make it happen”, but for that goal to be achieved “the politicians need to back it”, a forum on the issue has been told.

“The research shows where things have progressed on child poverty it’s because of politicians,” Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA) chief executive Tanya Ward said. She said come election time, “economic developments take over the debate, and it becomes less about something like child poverty”. Nonetheless, it is “so significant” that a dedicated unit has been set up in the Department of the Taoiseach tasked with tackling the issue of child deprivation in Ireland, she said.