13 February 2023. Barnardos welcomes An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s comments regarding the extension of cost of living supports and recommends targeting measures at low income families.
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: “Continuing cost of living increases are affecting the vast majority of households, hitting the pockets of most families and reducing their levels of disposable income.
“However, it is those on lower incomes who are being hit hardest. It is their standard of living that is being most compromised. Children living in low income families are at greatest risk of going without day-to-day essentials such as food, heat and electricity.
“The measures taken by the Government last year to protect families from rapid increases to the cost of living helped many children across the country. However, as those measures come to an end and the Government determines what new measures are needed it is vital they prioritise those families facing the greatest levels of disadvantage, in particular lone parent and low-income families. The primary focus should be introducing measures that best ensure all children in Ireland, at an absolute minimum, live in homes that have sufficient food and can provide regular meals, live in appropriately heated accommodation and don’t go without electricity.
“As a society, it is unfair and unjust that children are going without these absolute basic necessities.
All children across Ireland should be entitled to a decent standard of living. At Barnardos we know childhood lasts a lifetime – so it is vital that Government does the right thing and directs further support to those facing the greatest vulnerabilities.”
Barnardos is calling on the Government to target additional cost of living measures at low income families, including:
- Once off €500 lump sum for those in receipt of the Increase for Qualified Child (IQC) payment, reflecting the additional cost low income parents are facing to provide children with necessities including food, housing, heat and electricity
- Extending fuel allowance to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment, better protecting children in lone parent households from energy poverty
- Increasing the speed of additional needs payments decisions
ENDS
Notes to editors:
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