+34
The latest ESRI data shows child poverty climbing to 17.4% of children, nearly 30,000 more than in 2021, with housing costs raising the figure to 22.7%. While household incomes grew 4% from 2023 to 2024, the bottom half saw only a 3% rise. The increase is most severe for families with young children and is far from the 3% target set for 2030. The report also highlights child‑specific deprivation and the impact of large families, lone‑parent households and migrant families.
The figure represents 17.4% of children, an increase of almost 30,000 children since 2021. The poverty line is defined as having less than 60% of median household income.
When housing costs are taken into account, the figure rises to 260,000 children, or 22.7%. This comes despite average household incomes rising by 4% between 2023 and 2024, after accounting for inflation, household size and composition. The top 10% of households saw their incomes increase by more than 7%, compared with 3% for the bottom half. The rise in child poverty was particularly pronounced among families with young children.
For families whose youngest child was aged between 0 and 5, the rate increased from 20.8% to 26.6% when housing costs were taken into account. Government target The Government has set a target of reducing child poverty to 3% by 2030, but the ESRI said it is currently “very far” from reaching that goal. This measure counts children who are both below the poverty line and experiencing material deprivation, meaning they cannot afford at least two essential goods or services.
The ESRI said this measure can miss children experiencing material deprivation who have incomes just above the poverty line, particularly those facing high housing costs. The research further found that 10% of children under 16 experienced child-specific deprivation in 2024, including being unable to afford school trips, regular leisure activities or new clothes. Children in large families, jobless households and supported rental housing were more likely to experience this type of deprivation.
Around 9% of children under 16 experienced both child-specific deprivation and household deprivation, with these children more likely to live in lone-parent families, households with limited employment, and migrant families. The findings come as Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the level of child poverty is “not acceptable”, while questioning the methodology used by the ESRI.
, he argued that the 60% income threshold was a “very high benchmark” and said the research did not capture the full impact of recent Government measures such as free schoolbooks, hot school meals and free GP care for under-nine-year-olds. On the proposed second tier of Child Benefit, the Taoiseach said the Government had concerns about its impact on existing supports.
“We don’t want to bring in a system that would actually take 100,000 children out of current support programmes. So it’s not simple. ” He said more work was needed to reduce child poverty, but the Government would focus on increasing child support payments and opportunities for people on lower incomes.
“I think the best way to do it is through increasing child support payments and other measures that can increase income levels, but also opportunities for people on the lowest incomes. That’s the strategy we will use. ”The ESRI said new policy measures will be needed if the Government is to meet its child poverty target.
It recommended introducing a means-tested second tier of Child Benefit, saying this would reduce child poverty more effectively per euro spent than increasing existing supports. Dr Barra Roantree, Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin and a co-author of the report, said housing costs should be included when measuring child poverty.
“Regardless of how it is measured, it is clear that new policy measures – such as a second tier of child benefit – will be needed if the Government is to come close to meeting this target,” he said. Bertrand Maître, Senior Research Officer at the ESRI, said one in 10 children are not protected from the effects of household hardship. He said this is likely to mean children feel excluded and miss out on social and educational opportunities.
Community Foundation Ireland CEO Denise Charlton said the findings show that many children and families continue to face"enormous challenges". Dublin massage business forced to block dozens of men requesting sexA north Dublin Thai massage business says they have been inundated with messages requesting “happy endings” after she began advertising her practice online. Amara Thai Massage in Killester offers authentic Thai massage provides traditional Thai massage aswell as sports massage and dry cupping.
Owner Lita, who has been in Ireland for 26 years says such Over half of NI women murdered since 2020 were strangled before their death A new study by The Queen’s University Belfast found that 55% of murdered women were previously strangled by the man who killed them. Researchers have described non-fatal strangulation , in which the victim is strangled but survives as “the last warning shot” before she is killed.
Women who experience non-fatal strangulation are 750%, almost eight times, Ticketmaster has been accused of “misleading commercial practice” in connection with ticket sales for the Oasis reunion concerts at Croke Park last year. Oasis played two sold-out reunion shows in Croke Park in Dublin in August 2025. The ticket giant has been accused of breaching consumer law in two charges under the Consumer Protection Act
Child Poverty Housing Costs Income Inequality Deprivation Ireland
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Child of Krakatau Erupts, Shutting Hundreds of Flights as Ash Cloud Envelops Indonesian AirwaysAnak Krakatau's eruption sent ash to As high as 15,000 metres, crippling flights at Soekarno‑Hatta Airport and affecting thousands of passengers. Disruptions extended to flights to Singapore, Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur, while agencies plan weather‑seeding operations to further reduce ash. The incident underscores the need for robust volcanic ash monitoring systems for aviation safety.
Read more »
ESRI report reveals stalling progress on child povertyThe latest ESRI report indicates that child poverty has not significantly decreased, with the number of children in low-income households rising to 200,000. The data suggests a need for more consistent and targeted policy interventions to address the root causes of economic inequality affecting families.
Read more »
Rise in number of children living below poverty lineEconomic and Social Research Institute finds levels of child poverty higher when housing costs factored in
Read more »
The ESRI said the number of children in households below the poverty line grew by almost a fifth in 2024.The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has reported a significant increase in child poverty, with the number of children living in households below the poverty line rising by nearly 20% in 2024. This sharp rise highlights the growing economic challenges faced by families, particularly in the context of rising living costs and stagnant wages. The ESRI, known for its expert analysis of economic and social trends in Ireland, has likely identified key factors contributing to this alarming trend, such as inflation, housing costs, and changes in social welfare policies.
Read more »