Some 150,000 children live in consistent poverty in Ireland, and education is the primary means to unlocking their potential.
The contention was made by comedian Des Bishop at the launch of a new fundraising drive by the charity Barnardos yesterday.
"Barnardos works directly with children in some of the most disadvantaged communities in Ireland," he said. "These are areas that have been overlooked and left behind in the economic boom that has created a chasm between those who have in this society and those who have not. It's hard to believe that this poverty exists in Ireland."
Barnardos must raise €4.2 million in voluntary funds this year to ensure it can continue its work, and is seeking to enlist the help of 1,000 new supporters who will commit €7 to the charity each month.
"As little as €7 per month can make a huge difference to the lives of the 150,000 kids who live in consistent poverty in Ireland," said Bishop.
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said the organisation's emphasis was on tapping into children's potential. "Poverty can be a prison cell," he said. "All over Ireland, there are people, especially children, who are trapped, deprived of the potential that they have . . . In everything we do, we work on the basis that, if poverty is a prison cell, education is the key to get out of it."
Barnardos provides services for children and families, including after-school groups, home-work clubs and teen parent programmes to help young parents in caring for their children and completing their own education.
The charity also targets children at risk of dropping out of school or who are ill-prepared to participate in school.
