Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced an extension to the term of the Executive’s Child Poverty Strategy 2016 -2019 to May 2022.
The term of the last Child Poverty Strategy expired in March 2019. Due to the absence of the devolved institutions, it was not possible to produce a new strategy at that time.
“New Decade, New Approach” states that “the Programme for Government could be underpinned by key supporting strategies” including an Anti-Poverty Strategy and a Child Poverty Strategy.
Minister Ní Chuilín considers that there may be scope to take child poverty forward within the wider anti-poverty strategy and has agreed to extend the child poverty strategy 2016-2019 to May 2022.
Making the announcement, the Minister said: “Child Poverty continues to be a major concern and helping those most vulnerable and in need remains a priority. Child Poverty does not just affect a young person’s childhood, it can also have a major impact on their future.
“This extended term will allow time for key stakeholders to be consulted on whether the anti-poverty strategy, which will include all age groups, is sufficient or whether in addition the development of a child poverty strategy is required.”
Concluding the Minister said: “I will work closely with my Executive colleagues and key stakeholders to decide the best way forward in relation to dealing with this extremely important issue.”
