A delegation from the Work and Pensions select committee, currently conducting a review of child poverty, travelled to the Falls Road and Shankhill Road to meet community groups and local assembly member Michael Ferguson.
Ferguson said that West Belfast had "unacceptable" levels of deprivation, including seven wards where more than 80 per cent of children were living in poverty. In West Belfast's 17 wards, more than 50 per cent of children live in poverty.
"There is no budget directed at child poverty. We have Sure Start but there's no mainstream funding there. The neighbourhood renewal strategy is being implemented but there is no budget for it. You can come up with programmes but if they're not core-funded then they won't have any impact," he said.
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