Madam, - Rather than the global economic downturn being used as an excuse for inaction, it should make Minister for Social and Family Affairs Hanafin resolved to become the guardian of Ireland's children and shield the most vulnerable ("Downturn 'a cover' for cutbacks, say groups", The Irish Times, September 20th). Today, 114,000 children live in poverty; that's one in nine children, and many more than would fit in Croke Park.
President McAleese recently said that "children need adults who will listen and champion their cause". Minister Mary Hanafin now needs to become one of those adults. Our children need a champion who will ensure that budget 2009 will curb child poverty, not least by delivering income support for the poorest families and providing financial help for children in education. - Yours, etc,
JILLIAN VAN TURNHOUT, Chief Executive, Children's Rights Alliance, Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2.