Ireland has one of
the highest levels of children at risk of poverty in Europe. That is according
to Eurostat figures which show that a third of children here are at risk
compared with the EU average of 28%.
Meanwhile, new research from Barnardos revealed that one in
six children in Ireland is living in a household that suffers food poverty.
Children from the poorest households were found to be twice
as likely to have a low birth weight as those in the wealthiest households.
The study also found that children’s maths and reading
scores increase by 4% for every 1% more their parents earn.
Barnardos CEO, Fergus Finlay, said a century after the 1916
Rising, Ireland had failed to honour the pledge to cherish all the children of
the nation equally.
“Our research reveals those in the poorest households spend
seven times more of their disposable income on fuel and light than those in the
wealthiest households; one in six children is now living in a household
experiencing food poverty and households with children are 89% more likely to
be in rent or mortgage arrears than those without”.
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