Barnardos launches Annual Report 2025: The children’s charity reports a waiting list of more than 3,000

• More than 3,000 children and families are currently on Barnardos’ waiting lists – an increase of 31% on the previous year
• In 2025 Barnardos worked with more than 34,000 children, parents and adults through their targeted and early intervention services
• Barnardos delivered 72,954 in-person sessions for children and parents
• New research by the charity demonstrates reductions in risks in children’s lives following participation in Barnardos intensive family support
• Barnardos is calling on the Government to take measures to lift more children out of poverty in Budget 2027

23rd September 2026. Barnardos children’s charity today launched its Annual Report 2025, highlighting the growing needs of families across Ireland. Barnardos worked with more than 34,000 children, parents and adults and reports a record waiting list of 3,023, a 31% increase on the previous year. The charity, through their targeted and early intervention services, supported families affected by poverty, trauma, abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, bereavement and other difficult life experiences.

Barnardos delivered 72,954 in-person trauma-informed sessions for children and parents in family homes, Barnardos centres, schools, emergency accommodation settings and international protection centres.

This year, Barnardos undertook new research to demonstrate the effectiveness of its trauma-informed, strengths-based intensive family support services in achieving positive outcomes for vulnerable children and their parents.

Research shows:

• Families receiving Barnardos intensive family support were experiencing significant vulnerabilities at baseline.
• Inequalities which emerge early can cast a long shadow into later life increasing the risk of poorer health, psychological, educational, economic and social outcomes in adulthood.
• Findings suggest reductions in risks and improvements in protective factors in children’s lives following participation in Barnardos intensive family support services

Philip Watt, Barnardos Interim CEO said: “We know the waiting lists would actually be higher because we have had to close lists in some areas. We also know with timely intensive and targeted support we can make a huge difference and reduce risk for these children.

“Without timely, intensive child and family support, difficulties at home can deepen, affecting children’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, engagement with school and ability to form positive relationships. At a time of growing public concern about the behaviour and social disconnection of some young people, Barnardos outcomes demonstrate the value of intervening early. Effective family support can strengthen relationships, improve children’s wellbeing and help prevent difficulties from escalating towards family breakdown, referral to Tusla or entry into State care.”

Budget 2027 must lift more children out of poverty and deprivation and provide them with a better opportunity to have a stable, predictable and nurturing family life. This requires:

• Targeted income supports for children most at risk of poverty
• Increased funding for Tusla, and voluntary and community sector organisations to ensure earlier access to services for families that need support
• Barnardos is seeking additional funding of €1.4 million to sustain its services at the current level, working directly with children who are vulnerable, experiencing disadvantage and at risk.