MORE children acrossNorthern Ireland could be pushed into poverty with the introduction of welfare reforms, it has been claimed.
Commissioner for Children and Young People Patricia Lewsley-Mooney has called on the Assembly to explore ways to “adapt” the reforms and lessen the impact on children.
“There is a real need to improve the current benefits and social security system, but I fear that many thousands of children and young people will suffer increased hardship,” she said.
The commissioner was speaking ahead of today’s launch of reports into the likely impacts on children of changes to social benefits.
Ms Lewsley-Mooney challenged claims that the Executive has little choice but to implement the reforms.
“The NI Executive must make sure that the particular circumstances here are addressed.
“We have a larger proportion of children under 18, and a larger proportion of children with disabilities – added to this we have communities still dealing with the legacy of the conflict and a high level of people suffering from mental illness as a result of this.”
She said the reports show that many thousands of children and young people will suffer significantly reduced living standards.
“The inequalities already experienced by many children in living in poverty could worsen considerably as a result of this Welfare Reform legislation, if action is not taken,” the commissioner added.
However, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland claimed conclusions from the report “may cause unnecessary concern for local families”.
“The report fails to acknowledge the early estimates from my department that the impact of introducing Universal Credit will result in over 10,000 children being lifted out of poverty in Northern Ireland,” said the DUP minister.
Mr McCausland said he would give “serious consideration” to the recommendations made in the reports to the Children’s Commissioner.
He added: “It appears that the Children’s Commissioner is confusing financial parity with operational flexibility which Northern Ireland has always sought to apply in how we administer Social Security benefits to meet the needs of Northern Ireland.
“I want to make it clear that my Department will not be breaking parity with the rest of the UK. That is not an option.
“However, as chair of the Executive sub-committee on welfare reform I, along with my Ministerial colleagues, have already been giving serious consideration to the flexibilities that might exist for Northern Ireland.”