Child poverty increased in Ireland from 18 per cent to 28.6 per cent between the years 2008 and 2012, Sinn Féin health and children spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin told the Dáil today.

He said a Unicef report had revealed this represented a net increase of more than 130,00 Irish children. Other countries, such as Chile, Australia and Poland, had recorded a reduction in child poverty.

Mr Ó Caoláin urged Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr James Reilly to initiate a cross-departmental response to the issue.

Children living in poverty were statistically more likely to become adults living in poverty and to rear their own children in poverty, Mr Ó Caoláin added.

Dr Reilly said there were already members of his department permanently secnonded from the Departments of Justice, Health and Education. “I am sure the deputy would acknowledge that education is a huge part of helping people get out of this cycle of poverty,’’ the Minister added. “People who stay in education have better outcomes across employment and income.’’

He said inter-generational poverty was of serious concern to the Government as a whole and to his department in particular.

The Minister also said that his department provided funding for targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at-risk young people, among other programmes.

"In 2014, current funding of €49.78 million has been provided by my department for these schemes. I am pleased to advise that Budget 2015 confirmed that funding will not be reduced.''