Understanding Poverty - Combat Poverty Agency

understandingpoverty2…The longer a childstays in poverty, themore likely he or sheis to be poor as anadult…Child PovertyChild poverty is widespread in Irish society.Almost a quarter of the population –over one million people – is under the age of18, making the Irish population one of theyoungest in Europe. i A large percentage of thepopulation faces poverty during childhood.Child poverty causes not only immediate hardship.It also has the potential to seriously damage a child’sopportunities for the future. Children who grow up inpoverty are more likely to leave school early, lose out onthe chance of well paid work, and have poor health.They may be vulnerable to homelessness and delinquentbehaviour. The longer a child stays in poverty, the morelikely he or she is to be poor as an adult.“All children have the right to grow up with equalopportunities for a successful future.”There is also a very high risk that child poverty in onegeneration affects the children of the next generation.For example, a person whose parents have noeducational qualifications beyond primary level has afar higher risk of having no formal qualification – andthus fewer well-paid job prospects – compared to