The number of children living in consistent poverty in Ireland has risen to over 100,000, according to the latest Child Poverty Monitor from the Children’s Rights Alliance — marking an increase of 45,107 compared to the previous year.
The report describes this rise as “staggering” and highlights that children remain the demographic group most likely to experience poverty across Irish society. In particular, the report draws attention to the growing problem of “holiday hunger”, where children who benefit from school meal programmes during term time are going without adequate food during school holidays.
Data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that over 250,000 children experienced enforced deprivation in 2024. This means that one in five children lived in households unable to afford essential goods and services such as a winter coat or a pair of properly fitting shoes.
The report also reveals that overcrowding is a persistent issue, with nearly one in four children at risk of poverty growing up in overcrowded homes. Single-parent households are among the worst affected, with these families significantly more likely to be unable to afford a weekly roast dinner or meat, chicken or fish every second day.
Only 25% of households receiving social welfare supports were found to have an adequate income last year. The report criticises the Government’s approach during this period, noting a reliance on once-off payments and temporary top-ups, rather than permanent increases to welfare supports.
After a period of decline in child poverty rates between 2021 and 2023, the report shows a reversal in progress, with a rise from 14.3% of children at risk of poverty in 2023 to 15.3% in 2024. This accounts for an additional 12,955 children living in households with incomes below 60% of the median.
The Children’s Rights Alliance also warned of rising food poverty, which has intensified since it began tracking the issue in 2022. Although the Government is on track to deliver universal hot school meals by 2030, the report highlights a critical gap during holiday periods — leaving many children without sufficient food outside the school term.
Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance, described the findings as a call for urgent Government intervention.
“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,” she said.
Ward acknowledged progress in some areas, including the rollout of free school books, expansion of the hot school meals scheme, and free GP care for children under eight. However, she warned that such universal measures have come at the expense of more targeted interventions.
“We need strategic investment to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Budget 2026 has to focus on breaking that cycle,” she added.
