Press release
Minister Doherty Welcomes New Children Report Which Affirms Budget response
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., today welcomed the new report Growing Up in Ireland, a national longitudinal study carried out by the ESRI and Trinity College, funded mainly by the Department of Children.
The report provides important insights into the lives of 13-year-olds in Ireland amongst which is the fact that children from more socially disadvantaged backgrounds are at higher risk of poorer outcomes in terms of their physical health; their education and schooling; and their emotional and behavioural well-being.
Speaking to this finding, Minister Doherty emphasised:
“This Report confirms the appropriateness of the approach we took in the recent Budget where I was able to ensure increases in the qualified child rates and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. These increases, combined with changes to assessments for lone parent and working family payments, allow us to target resources to those children – as identified in this report - who need assistance the most. With regard to increases in the qualified child rates, I was particularly pleased to introduce significant increases for children over 12 who need additional supports and resources.
“The Budget was all about creating the right type of environment for all children to prosper and reach their potential and I intend to build on this work. For example, all the available research demonstrates the value of diet and nutrition for a child’s health, learning, attention and educational achievement. That is why I am providing funds to establish a pilot programme for a hot meals scheme in schools. Hot dinners will be provided on a pilot basis in a number of DEIS schools to some 7,200 children. If successful, I would hope to work with the Department of Education and Skills in extending the scheme on a much wider basis in future years and establish the scheme on a permanent basis.”
ENDS