Published date: 18 Dec 2022
Child Poverty Unit is a gamechanger in the campaign to end child poverty in Ireland – say Children’s Rights Alliance
Speaking in response to the announcement this evening by new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance said:
“We have spent the last week in the Children’s Rights Alliance focused on reaching out to many of our member organisations to help support them to deliver food and nutritious meals to children across the country. For the thousands of children and young people living in poverty, that this winter is incredibly difficult and the cost of living continues to exacerbate existing inequalities. We know that to make any real, significant change to the levels of child poverty we see today, we need political will and drive from the highest levels of government.
The announcement today by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is a gamechanger. Establishing an office to tackle child poverty and improve wellbeing in the Department of Taoiseach follows the successful track record of other child poverty offices in Scotland and New Zealand that have delivered positive outcomes for children and young people. It will ensure that children and young people are a priority in the most influential department, and the department best places to instigate and sustain cross-governmental work. In order to reverse the tide of child poverty, we need a whole-of-government approach to developing and delivering solutions.
We look forward to hearing more of the detail on the proposed scale and resources of this new child poverty and wellbeing office, which will determine whether it can deliver its ambition of making Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child.”
ENDS
Contact: Emma Archbold, [email protected] / 0879971410
Tanya Ward, [email protected] / 087 653 1069
Notes to Editors:
Tanya Ward, Chief Executive, Children’s Rights Alliance is available for interview.
About the Children’s Rights Alliance
Founded in 1995, the Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 140 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. Further information is available at: www.childrensrights.ie or on Twitter, @ChildRightsIRL #EndChildPoverty
For media queries, please contact:
Emma Archbold
Campaigns and Communications Director