Prosperous Families "Setting Sail from the Less Fortunate", Alerts Ombudsman
In Ireland and Northern Ireland, a troubling trend has emerged as the number of children affected by poverty and homelessness continues to rise.
**Poverty Rates**
According to recent data, approximately 293,000 children in Ireland were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023, part of a larger EU total of nearly 20 million[2]. About 250,000 children live in households below the poverty line[4], while more than 190,000 children were living in poverty in 2024[5].
**Homelessness**
While specific homelessness rates for children are not detailed, homelessness is a significant concern in Ireland, often linked to poverty.
**Comparison with Other European Countries**
Across the EU, 94.5 million people were classified as being at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023[2]. Ireland's poverty rates are not uniquely high compared to other EU countries, but like many countries, it faces challenges in addressing persistent poverty and social exclusion[2].
**Factors Contributing to Poverty and Homelessness Among Children**
Economic inequality, inadequate income, systemic disadvantage, and birth rate and family size are some factors contributing to poverty among children in Ireland. Temporary cost-of-living supports have masked underlying structural inequalities, which continue to affect vulnerable groups like children and lone-parent families[1]. The government is considering increasing child benefits to encourage larger family sizes, which might help address poverty for families with multiple children[3].
**Factors Contributing to Homelessness**
Broader factors contributing to homelessness in Ireland include housing shortages, high rent costs, and lack of affordable accommodation.
**Current Initiatives and Future Directions**
The Irish government is exploring a two-tier child benefit system to increase support for lower-income families, aiming to reduce child poverty[3]. Budget measures are being considered to target vulnerabilities among families and children, focusing on making a lasting impact[3]. Research emphasizes the need for sustained increases in social welfare rates to address income adequacy and reduce poverty[5].
Addressing child poverty and homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that includes increasing social welfare, improving housing availability, and addressing systemic inequalities[1][5]. The consequences of poverty can make people age faster biologically, and the State's mental health budget does not reflect the high proportion of mental health issues that start in childhood.
In Northern Ireland, one in four children are living in poverty, and one in eight young people have suicidal ideation. The number of children living in poverty in Ireland has doubled in the last year, and children who experience circumstances like poverty, homelessness, and uncertainty have an accelerated ageing process. The State's Children's Hospital budget is known, but the budget for children is not, and the Government is unable to tell the Office for the Ombudsman for Children how much it spends on children.
Dr Niall Muldoon, the State's Children's Ombudsman, stated that children are suffering due to the gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' in Ireland. In Northern Ireland, 5,000 households are in temporary accommodation, and 18,000 are registered as homeless. The child adolescent mental health waiting lists in Northern Ireland are excessively long.
The State spends €350 million a year to house homeless families in Dublin, but addressing these issues requires a long-term, comprehensive approach that prioritizes the well-being of children and addresses the root causes of poverty and homelessness.
- In light of the concerning rise in poverty and homelessness among children in Ireland, it is essential to prioritize education and self-development as well as personal growth as key strategies for breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting the well-being of these vulnerable children.
- A long-term, comprehensive approach to addressing child poverty and homelessness in Ireland should include learning initiatives that foster personal growth and cultivate resilience in children, equipping them to overcome the challenges they face and pave the way for a brighter future.
