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Dublin, 11 September 2025 — Addressing the Child Poverty and Well-being Summit at the Aviva Stadium, Taoiseach Micheál Martin set out a renewed and ambitious vision to tackle child poverty in Ireland, describing it as a fundamental matter of “dignity” for every child and the adults they become.
In a wide-ranging speech, the Taoiseach acknowledged recent setbacks in child poverty rates, attributing the rise to the cost-of-living pressures in 2023 and 2024. However, he reaffirmed the Government’s determination to reverse this trend, announcing a new national target: to reduce the rate of consistent child poverty to no more than 3% by 2030—a historic low that would place Ireland among the leading nations in Europe.
Martin highlighted the need for coordinated, cross-departmental action, stating that “every part of government will play its part” to deliver on this goal. He pointed to recent and ongoing investments in social welfare, early years supports, and education, including:
- The continued rollout of free schoolbooks and hot school meals,
- Expansion of the Equal Start early years programme,
- Development of a new DEIS Plus scheme for schools in the most disadvantaged areas,
- Growth in Family Resource Centres and support for parenting programmes.
The Taoiseach underlined the role of partnership with frontline organisations, researchers, and community advocates in delivering real change. “You are the people making the practical difference,” he said. “We must draw on your expertise.”
He also acknowledged the crucial role played by children and young people, both in shaping government responses and in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he described as marked by “extraordinary solidarity.”
The summit, attended by key ministers and stakeholders across the public, voluntary, and academic sectors, featured discussions on child well-being, arts and creativity, policy innovation, and lived experience. The Government also launched a new dashboard of well-being indicators to measure progress beyond income statistics.
Closing his address, Martin welcomed keynote speaker Dr. Mike Ryan of the World Health Organization, praising his global leadership during the pandemic and his advocacy for tackling inequality as a prerequisite for building resilient societies.
“This is very important work you are all doing,” the Taoiseach concluded. “Ending child poverty is not only possible—it is essential.”
