GOVT URGED TO TACKLE CHILD POVERTY

THE Government is facing pressure to introduce a free “activities card” for every child and urgently expand childcare places to tackle Ireland's child poverty crisis.

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A major new report published yesterday by the Joint Committee on Children and Equality has laid out 60 recommendations to improve the lives of the country’s most vulnerable kids.

The cross-party committee is demanding that Ministers implement six priority measures by the end of this year.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Keira Keogh warned that children currently face the highest poverty and deprivation rates of any age group in the State.