It is a "national disgrace" that nearly one in five children in Ireland is living in poverty, the Labour Party has said.
Reacting to a report published by the Combat Poverty Agency today, the party's spokesman on social and family affairs, Willie Penrose, said it was a national shame that throughout the Celtic Tiger years the level of child poverty had remained "virtually unchanged".
Willie Penrose, Labour Party
He said: "This is not, and cannot ever be, acceptable to the people of this country," he said.
"When it comes to tackling child poverty, this Government has run out of ideas. In fact under Fianna Fáil and the PDs, Ireland spends much less on social protection than most European countries.
"The EU average is 25 per cent of GDP, with Sweden spending most, 31.3 per cent GDP, and Ireland least . . . 14.5 per cent GDP or 17.9 per cent GNP," Mr Penrose said.
"We rank amongst the worst countries in Europe in terms of provision of services for children, and it's all too clear, just how low provision for children ranks in this Government's priorities."
Mr Penrose said the Child Dependent Allowance and Family Income Supplement should be merged into a new Child Benefit Supplement and there must be urgent reform of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
"Until such time as those on low incomes and those in vulnerable financial circumstances are supported adequately to help them to meet household bills and until the Government stops hammering families with stealth taxes and price increases, consistent poverty will remain a feature of the so-called booming economy."
Dan Boyle, Green Party
Green Party spokesman on social affairs Dan Boyle said the findings undermine the fundamentals of Government policies on the economy and the alleviation of poverty.
"They indicate that, for most children in this country who live in poverty, there is no rising tide despite our increased economic prosperity," he said.
"We clearly need policies that are better directed and targeted. For example, a growing amount of child poverty is occurring in families where the head of the household is in paid employment. The Government must stop getting it so wrong and introduce policies which will reduce the number of Irish children living in poverty."