• Child poverty has fallen significantly over the past decade. However, the number of families with children in relative income poverty (sometimes referred to as 'at-risk-of-poverty') has remained relatively static over this time. • According to recently published statistics from UNICEF, Ireland has among the highest rates of child poverty in the EU-1S. Only Italy has a higher proportion of households with children below 50% of median equivalised income. • Ireland places a far greater emphasis on income support (both universal and targeted measures) for families with children than most European countries, but it invests less in subsidised quality services for children. Ireland's level of subvention for childcare and healthcare for children is among the lowest in the EU, and Ireland is also a laggard when net education costs are considered.· • In terms of breakdown of expenditure, approximately two-thirds of child income support expenditure in Ireland is universally provided (as opposed to means-tested).