Barnardos urges Government to Combat Child Poverty and Deprivation in Budget 2025
Budget 2025 provides the Government with an opportunity to start fulfilling Taoiseach Simon Harris’ commitment to make Ireland a world leader in eliminating child poverty, and making sure that every child can realise their full potential.
Research published by Barnardos shows a large proportion of families still had to cut back on and go without essentials like heating; electricity and food over the first six months of this year. This is despite cost of living measures put in place over the past two budgets.
We know from first-hand experience, and from a wealth of research, the longer a child experiences poverty and deprivation, the greater an impact it has on their current and future health; education and employment. There are real concerns that more children could be unjustly pulled into deprivation if targeted supports are not introduced in Budget 2025.
The most effective targeted measure that the Government could take is to increase the Qualified Child Increase and Working Family Payment. This would provide vulnerable families the additional income to meet essential costs, reducing the risk that children go without absolute necessities. Evidence shows that meeting the needs of older children is more expensive than younger children, therefore we would like to see a minimum €5 increase for those under 12 and €10 for those over 12.
Additionally, record numbers of children are experiencing harm from the trauma of becoming homeless and living in emergency accommodation. The Government must provide immediate supports against this harm and its impact on thousands of childhoods across the country. All children living in emergency accommodation should be offered trauma informed family support.
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: ‘Too often this year families we support have gone without. Without adequate heating; electricity; sufficient food and adequate clothing. Barnardos staff witness the toll this takes on vulnerable families on a daily basis. A toll on parents’ mental health, a toll on family relationships and a toll on children’s wellbeing and development. Budget 2025 needs to take steps to eliminate this toll to ensure the most vulnerable children in society are given the best possible start in life. Because Childhood Lasts a Lifetime.’
ENDS
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