To ask the Minister for Communities, in light of the findings of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care by Professor Ray Jones, what actions he will take to address the issue of children living in poverty, in order to avoid children being placed on the child protection register or becoming looked after children.

Addressing poverty in all its forms is a key priority for me. I am committed to delivering long-term, sustainable solutions to poverty for all in our communities, including children and our young people, right across Northern Ireland.

The Anti-Poverty Strategy will aim to address the root causes of poverty and the impacts of socio-economic disadvantage and inequality and set out the NI Executive’s commitment to a joined up, long term approach to addressing poverty.

I am currently considering the next steps to be taken in relation to an Executive Anti-Poverty Strategy and addressing the issues faced by children and young people remains a key focus of this ongoing work.

Final decisions on the content and implementation of the Anti-Poverty Strategy will be subject to Executive agreement and it is anticipated that child poverty will be included as part of the broader Anti-Poverty Strategy.