We need more people employed to help vulnerable children

In the weeks leading up to Budget 2025, reports on child poverty and disadvantage made for sobering reading.  

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) revealed in September that some 200,000 children in Ireland are experiencing material  deprivation.

ESRI research found that 20% of individuals lived in households unable to afford two or more items or activities from a list of ten essentials deemed to be necessary for an acceptable standard of living.

This is an increase of three per cent from 202 figures.

The list includes: two pairs of strong shoes, a warm waterproof coat, new (not second-hand) clothes, the replacement of worn out furniture, and a meal with meat, chicken, fish (or vegetarian equivalent) every second day; or a roast dinner or its equivalent once a week.

The ESRI research, conducted in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, also found that those experiencing low income or material deprivation are less engaged in civic participation.

Just days later, a report released by Pobal revealed that people living in areas of deprivation are four and a half times more likely to report poor health or disability.

The research also found that children growing up in extremely disadvantaged areas reported disability rates which are only observed among people nearing retirement age in affluent areas (approximately 7%).

According to Pobal, people living in the most disadvantaged areas in Ireland are also twice as likely to report having a disability compared to  those in affluent areas. 

RISE IN REFERRALS

A week previously, speaking at an event  in UCC during End Child Poverty Week, Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said the situation facing vulnerable children, including those in emergency accommodation, was dire. 

Her organisation speaks for over 150 groups working to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child.  

She said “the system cannot stretch any further” and that the number of people employed by the State to provide help is “worn thin”. 

“We are starting to see a serious lack of foster carers, social workers and experienced and specialised care workers, along with a scarcity of  appropriate residential and special care placements,” Ms Ward revealed. 

Meanwhile, there were 55,102 referrals of children in need of support between January and July of this year, which is more than before.  

“This increase in referrals is due to the persistence of poverty – homelessness, youth crime and violence, acute mental health and psychological needs. Without urgent action to respond to this, the State will fail in its statutory and moral responsibility to provide a safety net for these children,” she added.  

Ms Ward called for various measures including €53 million in additional funding for frontline core child protection and welfare services. 

Her concerns were summarised in a question she put to all concerned: “How, in 2024, are young children still starving in such a rich country?” 

At the same event, Clare Murphy from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, also addressed the need for more funding: “Research tells us that children living in poverty are at a higher risk of abuse and neglect.  Financial stress can also exacerbate parental mental health issues, substance misuse, and domestic abuse. We know that these adverse childhood experiences often have a significant and lasting effect on a child’s life.” 

GOVERNMENT  RESPONSE 

Minister of State for Rural and Community Development, Joe O’Brien, attended a pre-budget briefing by Children’s Rights Alliance and the  Community Foundation of Ireland.  

He said: ” It behoves us all as politicians to continue to push to eliminate child poverty”. In advance of budget day, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the Government must take “further action in relation to supporting children and supporting families”. 

He pledged that a cost of-living package and “targeted measures” would be announced as part of the budget and would be introduced between then and the end of this year. 

IMAGINE POVERTY GONE BY 2030

Changing Ireland attended the launch on September 18 of a report entitled ‘What Would it Take to Eliminate Consistent Poverty by 2030?’ 

Published by the Community Platform, it provides insights into the causes and reasons for consistent poverty, the groups most commonly  affected, and what can be done to end consistent poverty.  

Read our news report from the launch at: www.changingireland.ie