Policy

Last year Barnardos children’s charity supported more than 1,000 children across its targeted family support services who had experienced living with a parent with poor mental health. Barnardos today published a report focusing on the impact poor parental mental health has on children in Ireland, the prevalence across the country and actions that could be taken to reduce the resulting childhood trauma and harm.

In response to RTE Primetime Investigates programme – Inside the Care System – Barnardos children’s charity is calling on the Government, the Department of Children Disability & Equality and Tusla to put forward an action-oriented plan with clear timelines that sets out exactly how and when the use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) will end. The children’s charity has long said that the alternative care system is in crisis with a national shortage of foster and residential placements for babies, children and young people.

Barnardos welcomes the publication of the Deis Plus Scheme and the accompanying additional resources set out this morning by Minister Naughton. It has been very positive to see the Department of Education create such a progressive plan and respond to the calls for additional support from schools and principals in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the country.

Barnardos today issued a report on the impact of acrimonious parental separation and inter-parental conflict on children. The report shows children are placed at risk of experiencing trauma, harm and poorer health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes.

Ireland’s largest children charity Barnardos is calling on the Budget 2026 to help alleviate child poverty.

Barnardos launch a Homelessness Briefing, revealing the harrowing real experiences of vulnerable families living in emergency accommodation.

Barnardos has today launched its 2023 annual report which reflects the reality for vulnerable children living in Ireland.

The range of measures set out today in Budget 2025 will provide financial assistance to families across the country. The lump sum payments will enable parents to make larger once off payments that will be necessary this winter, help prevent or reduce financial hardships for many and better guarantee children don’t go without essentials. It