A/HRC/17/34/Add.2 Moreover, these cuts represent a move away from the universal child benefits, which have been an effective and non-stigmatizing tool to address child poverty. 59. While cuts are affecting all families with children (across all income brackets) they will have a disproportionate impact on children living in households that rely on other forms of social protection assistance, particularly those with single parents, jobless households and households with persons with disabilities. These households are hit harder by the cumulative impact of reductions to a range of social protection payments and the rising costs of child-related expenditures.49 60. Combating child poverty requires a set of comprehensive measures, including adequate income support and investments in public services such as education and health. Reduction in funding to public services will impact the accessibility and quality of health and education services for children. For instance, the recent cuts to the school transport scheme, and the introduction of additional fees for post-primary pupils, will place additional financial burden on struggling families. 61. The independent expert notes that Ireland has allocated additional funds in recent budgets to meet the rising demand for medical cards, an initiative that improves access to health services for children living in low-income families. However, the introduction of a 50-cent charge on all prescription medicines means that families with children who require regular prescription medication for chronic illnesses will pay more for vital medication each month. 62. As a State party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Ireland must ensure, inter alia, that each and every child in the country has a standard of living adequate for his/her physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development, and full access to the best available health-care services, free primary education and social protection (arts. 24, 2628). The State must comply with these obligations to the maximum extent of its available resources (art. 4), even during times of economic hardship. B. Older persons 63. Older people, the majority of whom are women, constitute 11 per cent of Ireland’s population;50 by 2050, they will be 29 per cent.51 Due to a substantial increase in recent years in contributory and non-contributory pensions received by older people, they have among the lowest level of poverty of any group in Ireland. The protection offered by pensions and other social transfers is so significant that it represents 60 per cent of older persons’ income, and reduces their risk of poverty rate from 88 per cent to 9.6 per cent.52 64. Considering the vital role of social protection in providing older people with income security, and the great dependency of older people on the provision of quality social services (such as health services, home-care packages and accommodation), it is crucial that Ireland maintain its investments in social protection benefits, as well as the provision of public services provided to older people. In this regard, the independent expert notes with concern proposals to progressively reduce pensions paid to public service pensioners53 at the same time as immediately increasing the pension age to 66 and gradually to 68. There is 49 50 51 52 53 CSO, Consumer Price Index, June 2009. CSO, Census 2006, Volume 2 - Ages and Marital Status, p. 31, table 7. NAP Inclusion, p. 49. SILC 2009, p. 37. NRP, p. 73. 15