Chris Lyttle MLA said: “As the United Nations has warned, the failure to protect children from poverty is one of the most costly mistakes a society can make.
“The Executive is working to reduce child poverty but the Institute of Fiscal Studies estimates that 1 in 3 children will be in relative poverty by 2020 and it appears that rates of child poverty will only increase without further action.
“The report highlights the extent of inequality and child poverty in Northern Ireland, the complexity of the problem and the need for the Executive to do more to end child poverty.
“I commend the work of the Child Poverty Alliance to produce this important report. The expert contributions merit attention and it is clear that a comprehensive, integrated, evidence based and costed strategy to tackle child poverty and increase resources for families is required.
“This will be difficult to achieve in the current economic situation unless the Finance Minister and Executive recognise the need for fair and progressive revenue raising measures to protect and sustain front line services for working families and the most vulnerable in our society.
“OFMDFM must also use underspent programmes such as the social investment fund and childcare budget much more effectively to meet international obligations and improve the early education and welfare of children in our community.”
ENDS