A new study has found that 20 per cent of Irish children are going to school or bed hungry due to poverty.
The shocking statistic was revealed yesterday at the Eradicating Food Poverty Among Children and Young People in Ireland conference in Dublin, with experts confirming that food poverty had risen by 13.2 per cent in the last three years.
According to the Irish Mirror, the number of people affected in Ireland has risen from 450,000 people in 2010 to over 600,000 in 2013 and lobby group Healthy Food For All are now calling on the Department of Education to provide a once-off €500,000 payment next year to help needy schools provide meals to pupils.
The organisation has also appealed for a €2.5 million investment over five years from Government in community food initiatives to ensure there is one scheme set up in every county.
