Criticism has been levelled at the government for "failing children" after new alarming data was revealed.

Information from SILC shows the 2018 consistent poverty rate for children was 7.7%, which equates to some 92,000 children.

Fianna Fáil has hit out at the government over the figures and voiced uncertainty over the child poverty target set for 2020.

Willie O'Dea TD said: "In order to meet the 2020 child poverty target almost 55,000 children would have to be lifted out poverty and the reality is that it's very unlikely that this target will be met.

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"Whilst rates of poverty and deprivation are moving in the right direction, progress has been modest and does not reflect the pace of economic growth. This in itself is evidence that a two-tier society still very much exists in Ireland."

Deputy O'Dea also placed some of the blame on Minister Regina Doherty's failure to publish a new social inclusion strategy, which was originally promised in 2018.

He added: "Children are bearing the brunt of Fine Gael's policy failures; tens of thousands of children are living in consistent poverty and almost 4,000 children will spend this Christmas in emergency accommodation.

"The Taoiseach talked about creating a republic of opportunity when he came into office and it is apparent that this is just another commitment that the Fine Gael led government has not delivered on."

(CM/MH)