Ireland has one of the highest levels of children at risk of poverty in Europe.

That is according to Eurostat figures which show that a third of children here are at risk compared with the EU average of 28%.

The Eurostat survey was referred to by the European Parliament this week.

MEPs called on EU countries to boost their efforts to combat child poverty and social inequalities.

Sinn Fein MEP is Lynn Boylan: “In Ireland we’ve seen child poverty double since Fine Gael and Labour came into Government…

“We know there are 1500 children in Dublin, who are homeless, so anything that can put the onus on Government, that they have obligations to children, and to lift them out of poverty.

As well as that, the number of children going to a homeless day centre in Dublin for emergency food has increased by nearly two thirds in just one year.

The Capuchin Day Centre has operated in central Dublin since 1969, and organiser Father Kevin Crowley says there’s an unprecedented number of homeless families presenting for help at the moment.

5,100 children were fed by the centre last year, and more than 8,400 are expected this year.

The Eurostat survey was referred to by the European Parliament this week.

MEPs called on EU countries to boost their efforts to combat child poverty and social inequalities.

Sinn Fein MEP is Lynn Boylan: “In Ireland we’ve seen child poverty double since Fine Gael and Labour came into Government…

“We know there are 1500 children in Dublin, who are homeless, so anything that can put the onus on Government, that they have obligations to children, and to lift them out of poverty.