Irish child poverty rises despite growth in average incomes, research finds
Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute finds child poverty has risen, with housing costs pushing more children below the poverty line.
· The Island · 2 min read
Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute has found a rise in Irish child poverty, despite strong growth in average incomes, with housing costs increasing the number of children below the poverty line.
What happened
One in 10 children in Ireland are now deprived of basic necessities, according to the research reported on 8 September. The finding points to a gap between income growth and the money available to families after essential costs are paid.
The ESRI found that child poverty levels are higher when housing costs are included. That measure captures the effect of rent and other housing expenses on household finances, rather than assessing poverty from income alone.
The reports did not identify a single cause for the rise. They set the result against a period in which average incomes have grown sharply.
Why it matters
The figures give employers, policymakers and organisations working with families a less comfortable reading of Ireland’s income growth. Headline improvements in earnings may not translate into better living conditions for children if housing costs absorb more of household budgets.
The one-in-10 estimate also provides a concrete measure of material deprivation. For companies hiring parents, and for public bodies planning housing and family supports, the research points to pressure that average income figures can miss.