Child poverty is a terrible thing but one has to ask, why is it that people continue to breed when they know they do not have the means to properly look after their offspring? A case in point is the woman shown on TV, who is homeless and has moved with her 10 children into her brother's house. Ten children! This shows a total lack of care and responsibility for the future of these children. Where is/are the father/s?

And what contribution is he - or they - making towards the upbringing of these children? And yet there are those who have the cheek to blame the Government for their plight. It is not the Government's fault if women continue to have children when they know they cannot give them a safe, loving home.

Unfortunately, we live at a time when the mentality seems to be that the Government will provide with benefits. How much taxpayers' money in the form of benefits does the woman with 10 children receive? And what of the future of those children - money for their education, uniforms, books - to say nothing of food and medical care. There are far too many abused children in Child, Youth and Family care. Perhaps draconian measures are needed to put a stop to children being born into impoverished homes by making it necessary to prove, after two children, you have the means and love to increase your brood?

M Brooks, Pyes Pa.