Child poverty is a national scandal

AFTER 10 years of unprecedented prosperity, it is difficult to believe the scale of the problems of child poverty and homelessness which continue to exist unchallenged in our society.

According to EU and Government research, 65,000 Irish children live in consistent poverty and it is estimated there are approximately 1,400 children who are homeless with their families.

In a modern democratic society, it is a scandal that these children are being denied an acceptable standard of living and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Inequality on such a scale poses questions about rights, justice and the true meaning of citizenship in our society.