Of all social wrongs, a denial of opportunity to children is the most insidious. Young people bear the brunt of this exclusion but society also pays because of their reduced skills and productivity and an increased dependency by victims on health and social services. On an ethical level, children have just one opportunity to develop their potential and the denial of that chance impoverishes us all. Childhood poverty and a lack of special early education and health programmes have consistently blighted young lives.
The number of Irish children living in relative poverty grew by 130,000 during the past five years, according to a report from UNICEF, while families lost 10 years of income progress. That harsh reality represents an important contribution to public debate at a time Ireland is emerging from recession. A reduction in various forms of traditional inequality should form the foundations for a more caring society. Earlier this year, former Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald spoke of "moving on from a legacy of failure to plan for a better future". The establishment of a Child and Family Agency, along with the coordination of state services for vulnerable families represented a significant advance. But special pilot projects, such as Start Right education, should now be extended to all socially deprived areas.
There are different measurements of poverty. The OECD classifies households with incomes under 50 per cent of the average wage as being in “relative poverty”, while its “child deprivation” index is based on adequate nutrition, clothing and quality of life. Ireland performs well on the latter measurement but the number of children in “relative poverty” has grown rapidly because of recession-generated unemployment and cuts in welfare.
A study conducted by the OECD last year found that relative poverty was concentrated in those families experiencing unemployment. Nearly 40 per cent of children of unemployed single parents experienced poverty, followed by families in long-term unemployment. Children where both parents worked were only marginally affected. The agency suggested that a strategy based on employment creation would have the greatest impact on poverty in Ireland.
Providing jobs for the long-term unemployed and putting support structures in place to facilitate single parents will be difficult. In the meantime, the children of these families face enormous odds in escaping from a life of poverty and unfulfilled ambition. Better education, healthcare and housing will be key determinants in that battle and they will all cost money. No matter. Investing in the early education and welfare of children should take precedence over spending on roads and other capital infrastructure. Children represent the country’s future wealth. As the United Nations warned: “Failure to protect children from poverty is one of the most costly mistakes a society can make.”