Labour’s plans to tackle child poverty will make a real difference – Lyons

Deputy Lyons has strongly welcomed the publication of Labour’s plans to tackle child poverty and disadvantage.

“It’s so important that we target a serious reduction in child poverty. Labour’s proposals will make a real difference. Increasing Child Benefit by €15 a month will have a real impact on those parents struggling to get by. We also plan to commit extra resources to the poorest schools to cover the new staff and resources needed to tackle education disadvantage. Increasing funding to school completion programmes and the School Meals Programme will also be vital in protecting the prospects of disadvantaged children. All of these policies and more will be overseen by a new End Child Poverty Commission with the aim of halving the number of children in consistent poverty over the next term of Government.

“Labour is also strongly committed to continuing support for early intervention initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Central to this is our plan to mainstream youngballymun – a fantastic initiative that has been making a real difference to the lives of children and families within my own area.

“Labour can be relied on to implement this comprehensive anti-child poverty plan if returned to Government; I know that Labour deputies will make it an absolute top priority.”

ENDS