Poverty

‘Consistent poverty’ describes children who live in households with incomes below 60% of the national median. It also describes deprivation based on a number of indicators, including going 24 hours without a substantial meal or being cold because it is often too expensive to heat the home. Children continue to be the age-group most at risk of poverty. Many of those on low incomes cannot afford to bring their child to the doctor, dentist or optician.

Barnardos advocates on behalf of the children and families we work with to get access to these services.

• In 2010, 8.2% of children (aged 0-17) continued to live in consistent poverty
• Children at risk of poverty rose from 18.6% in 2009 to 19.5% in 2010
• Households with 2 parents and 1-3 children saw their risk of poverty rise from 11.4% in 2009 to 17.2% in 2010
• The overall households consistent poverty rate increased from 6.3% in 2009 to 9.6% in 2010

A report published by Barnardos and Society of Vincent de Paul, based on research conducted by the Children’s Research Centre at Trinity College, has demonstrated how children and adults can experience poverty and deprivation in different ways. Barnardos states how Government initiatives in addressing the issue of poverty in Ireland have to be based on a more complete understanding of affected children’s lived experiences, and how these experiences are interpreted and mediated.