Number of children living in consistent poverty rises to over 100,000, figures reveal
A Children's Rights Alliance report has acknowledged the number of children in consistent poverty has risen to more than 100,000 – nearly twice the previous mark – while the figure for homeless children has also increased, to nearly 5,000.
The group has called on the Government to invest in solutions that address inter-generational poverty following the release of these figures from the Central Statistics Office and the Department of Housing.
The Alliance is asking for measures such as resourcing early years support, cost-of-living relief, increasing budget allocation to Tusla and tackling overcrowding as a result of the housing crisis.
'What is deeply concerning is the number of children in consistent poverty – who are living in these conditions perpetually – which rose by a staggering 45,107 in 2024 to 102,977,' Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, said.
'Policy decisions and budget investments determine the fate of these children and young people.'
The report analysed Government progress and action to address child poverty. The research report spans figures on homelessness, family support and alternative care, adequate income and early years and education.
Last month's figures from the Department of Housing showed that an additional 100 children were living in emergency accommodation, an increase to 4,775. Ms Ward said: 'The rise in homeless figures is nothing new.
'We have seen a year-on-a-year increase every time we publish the Child Poverty Monitor.
'The combination of rising rents – the latest average reaching over €2,000 a month nationally – and a scarcity of supply has resulted in thousands of families being made homeless but also, countless more living on top of each other or in seriously cramped and inappropriate conditions.'
Ms Ward said she acknowledged positive developments with the introduction of free school books, hot school meals and free GP care for children under eight. However, she called on the Government to focus on long-term investments.
'Universal measures have advanced, many quicker than expected such as the historic billion-euro investments in childcare,' she said.
'However, these have come at the expense of the targeted measures and strategic investment that are critical to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty our children are inheriting. Budget 2026 has to focus on breaking the cycle.'
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A Children's Rights Alliance report has acknowledged the number of children in consistent poverty has risen to more than 100,000 – nearly twice the previous mark – while the figure for homeless children has also increased, to nearly 5,000. The group has called on the Government to invest in solutions that address inter-generational poverty following the release of these figures from the Central Statistics Office and the Department of Housing. The Alliance is asking for measures such as resourcing early years support, cost-of-living relief, increasing budget allocation to Tusla and tackling overcrowding as a result of the housing crisis. 'What is deeply concerning is the number of children in consistent poverty – who are living in these conditions perpetually – which rose by a staggering 45,107 in 2024 to 102,977,' Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, said. 'Policy decisions and budget investments determine the fate of these children and young people.' The report analysed Government progress and action to address child poverty. The research report spans figures on homelessness, family support and alternative care, adequate income and early years and education. Last month's figures from the Department of Housing showed that an additional 100 children were living in emergency accommodation, an increase to 4,775. Ms Ward said: 'The rise in homeless figures is nothing new. 'We have seen a year-on-a-year increase every time we publish the Child Poverty Monitor. 'The combination of rising rents – the latest average reaching over €2,000 a month nationally – and a scarcity of supply has resulted in thousands of families being made homeless but also, countless more living on top of each other or in seriously cramped and inappropriate conditions.' Ms Ward said she acknowledged positive developments with the introduction of free school books, hot school meals and free GP care for children under eight. However, she called on the Government to focus on long-term investments. 'Universal measures have advanced, many quicker than expected such as the historic billion-euro investments in childcare,' she said. 'However, these have come at the expense of the targeted measures and strategic investment that are critical to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty our children are inheriting. Budget 2026 has to focus on breaking the cycle.'
