Society must help these begging children

NUMEROUSLY in recent times, I have encountered the same pair of children begging in Dublin city.

Usually, they are to be seen in a well-known transport hub, but I have also seen them in a prominent pub.

It appears that these children are being denied a proper childhood, which is their basic human and constitutional right.

Surely there exists the resources, somewhere out there, to do something to help these children.

It is a damning indictment of our society that a situation like this can be allowed to exist.

One child suffering is one child too many.

Forget about schemes to employ adults with presidential wages. Let’s take these children off the streets and do whatever is necessary to provide a nurturing childhood and future for them.

While I recognise its merits, focussing on the creation of a measly five jobs, at the opportunity cost of the provision of a childhood, is an almost shameful idea.

We will live through a few more recessions, I would wager. A child only has one opportunity to have a childhood.

Being of limited resources and an unknown, there is little I can do by myself. I call on public figures, private citizens, civic authorities and, particularly, profitable businesses to do what they can to eradicate this terrible poverty.

It shouldn’t take a public campaign to achieve this, but if it does, so be it. There is no cause of greater importance.

Richard Lombard-Vance

Ashfield Avenue

Ranelagh

Dublin 6