More than 100,000 children in Ireland are now living in consistent poverty—a figure that has jumped by 45,000 in just one year, reports Breaking News.
Surging rental costs and inflation are being identified as the primary drivers behind this increase.
The Children’s Rights Alliance’s Child Poverty Monitor has highlighted how the housing crisis has forced thousands of families into homelessness, with many more stuck in severely overcrowded and unsuitable living spaces, reports Breaking News.
Commenting on the findings, Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said:
“A childhood in poverty is one spent in cold, dark and damp housing, travelling hours just to get to school or knowing that there will not be a hot dinner for the rest of the week. Thousands of families are being forced to live on such tight margins that they live in constant fear of their child needing a hospital visit or getting a letter home about the next school trip,” reports Breaking News.
“What is deeply concerning is the number of children in consistent poverty – who are living in these conditions perpetually–which rose by a staggering 45,107 in 2024 to 102,977. These are children for whom a decent standard of living and aspirations of a better future diminish day by day. This poverty is not inevitable. Policy decisions and budget investments determine the fate of these children and young people,” reports Breaking News.
She noted that 2025 has seen considerable developments. Free schoolbooks, hot school meals, and complimentary GP visits for children under eight are now standard supports, benefiting all children but especially those in poverty.
Universal supports have progressed—some faster than expected—like the groundbreaking billion-euro investments in childcare, reports Breaking News.
However, these came at the cost of the targeted strategies and focused funding required to end the cycle of inherited poverty affecting Irish children. Budget 2026, she said, must concentrate on breaking this cycle.
On the topic of housing, she pointed to recent statistics that revealed 100 more children became homeless last month alone, showing the current strategy is failing and inflicting serious emotional harm on the now 4,775 children without stable housing, reports Breaking News.
“The rise in homeless figures is nothing new. We have seen a year on a year increase every time we publish the Child Poverty Monitor. The combination of rising rents (latest average reaching over €2,000 a month nationally) and a scarcity of supply has resulted in thousands of families being made homeless but also, countless more living on top of each other or in seriously cramped and inappropriate conditions,” Tanya Ward said, reports Breaking News.
“Overcrowding is a major issue for children living on the lowest incomes. Almost one in four children at risk of poverty are growing up in overcrowded households, completely unsuitable to meet their needs or their families. While the trend is more common across Europe, the rate of overcrowding for children has effectively doubled in Ireland from 2021 to 2024, and we are only scratching the surface on what impact these conditions are having on children,” reports Breaking News.
“From ESRI research, we know that this can have detrimental impacts such as poorer wellbeing, greater conflict and disrupted family relationships and a knock-on effect on educational outcomes. We are also likely to see increases in the number of children referred to Tusla. The Government needs to look at the impact of overcrowding on children and young people,” reports Breaking News.
She stressed that without proper access to child protection and welfare services, as well as family supports within communities, families risk reaching crisis point.
Since 2019, referrals to Tusla have climbed by 70 per cent. Following the Daniel McAnaspie Inquest, a review of child protection and welfare systems was recommended to ensure Tusla is adequately resourced to safeguard children.
“Last year’s budget allocation to Tusla was mostly to maintain existing levels of care, failing to acknowledge the spike in referrals and the increased complexity of cases. Budget 2026 cannot leave these children behind. We are calling for direct investment of €50 million to ensure our core child protection and welfare services are supported to help children most vulnerable in society,” she said, reports Breaking News.
Ms Ward emphasized the direct connection between poverty and income. With rents and living costs rapidly rising, families are left financially drained, often resorting to debt to get through each week.
“Positively, Budget 2025 acknowledged the higher cost of older children by raising the Child Support Payment, but the incremental increases of a few euro are barely enough to buy the bottle of milk and shampoo that week,” reports Breaking News.
“This targeted income support is designed to help children in families already relying on social welfare to level the playing field. The cumulative impact of continued rising costs has created a landslide effect for low-income families, meaning ensuring the very basic necessities such as nutritious food or keeping your home warm become increasingly difficult,” she said, reports Breaking News.
She concluded that the most impactful way the Government can tackle the intergenerational transmission of child poverty is by investing heavily in early childhood. Infants and toddlers affected by poverty need holistic, early interventions.
The State has taken an initial step by introducing the Equal Start programme, which is focused on delivering both universal and targeted support for families and early years providers dealing with the consequences of poverty and social exclusion, reports Breaking News.
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