The evolution of child poverty in Ireland

Abstract

This chapter talks about the evolution of child poverty in Ireland over the past ten years. It begins by discussing the macroeconomic and policy contexts, and the data to be employed. This is followed by the relative income poverty rates for Irish children from the early 1970s until 1997. The non-monetary indicators of deprivation are used to show that relative income poverty rates are able to provide a partial picture during rapid growth. The chapter ends with a discussion on the implications for poverty measurement and policy.