CHILDREN’S CHARITY Barnardos has urged that children living in poverty are protected from the worst effects of the recession. Its director of advocacy Norah Gibbons said she accepted 2009 would be difficult but she pointed out that one in nine Irish children were living in consistent poverty and they must not be further neglected by the budget.
Consistent poverty is defined by an income of €290.72 per week for a household with one child and one adult or €507.13 per week for two adults and two children.
In its pre-budget submission published today, Barnardos calls for an increase of €6 in the Qualified Child Allowance to €30 per week. It urges that lengthy delays in processing applications for the Family Income Supplement are removed and is seeking greater take-up of the payment by families with three or fewer children.
Barnardos also warns against education cuts, saying this would “fuel the vicious poverty cycle that our most disadvantaged communities find themselves in”.
Respond, the social housing organisation, will also publish its pre-budget submission today.
It calls for the delivery of 11,000 social homes next year and says increased production of social housing can stimulate the market.
