Latest EU SILC Data Shows Child Poverty Remains Unacceptably High

Barnardos children’s charity, who provide practical and emotional supports for families living in poverty, today responded to the announcement that a shockingly high number of children continue to live in consistent poverty in Ireland. Today’s EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) figures for 2017 reveal that despite a small reduction child poverty remains one of the greatest issues of our time. More than 104,764 children live in poverty according to the findings.

June Tinsley, Head of Advocacy, Barnardos said: “The Government made a commitment to lift 100,000 children out of poverty by 2020 and it is clear to see little progress has been made. Poverty affects children in profound and long lasting ways. Poverty worsens a child’s physical health, mental health, education and causes social exclusion and isolation. Poverty increases the chances of a child experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and emotional abuse; these in turn increase a child’s chance of experiencing poverty in later life. It is a vicious cycle from which many children never escape. Yet it is not inevitable.”