School children in Poverty

The Northern Ireland Youth Forum welcomes the debate on school children in poverty in Stormont today as it raises an issue which hasn’t been given much attention by politicians or main stream media. It is saddening that school children are living in poverty in Northern Ireland, to this day. The Northern Ireland Youth Forum urges the debate to be widened to all young people who may be living in poverty.

NIYF Chairperson, Ben Mallon, said ‘I am encouraged to hear of the discussion taking place in Stormont today on the issue of ‘pupils living in poverty’. It is of paramount importance that all young people are supported to succeed in schooling. Being mindful that the Westminster Government has set 2020 as the target for the elimination of child poverty, it is crucial that the Minister of Education channels additional resources into our Education system to ensure that young people living in poverty can achieve their full potential’.

Although we are happy that the issue of children in poverty being brought to the attention of the assembly, talk is cheap and actions not words is what is needed to tackle the issue of poverty.