CHILD hunger across Donegal is an emergency crisis with families going without food due to falling under the poverty line, it is warned.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul issued the warning to the Donegal News after figures were released this week to show that there has been a sharp rise in child poverty despite growth in households’ average incomes.
New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) warned that child poverty is on the rise with one-in-10 children deprived of basic necessities.
Families in Donegal are under increasing financial pressure, it is claimed.
SVP’s North Western regional president Rosa Glacken told the Donegal News: “I agree with the figures. These show that families in Donegal are falling into poverty.
“SVP asked in its Budget submission to the Government for an increase for people on social welfare and those who are working but on low incomes.
“They need to get extra supports. There are many considerations.
“For example, in Donegal, people need a car to get around, to take kids to school, and the cost of that is on top of fuel, groceries, mortgages, heating their homes, energy bills, and other costs.”
“This is all pushing more people into arrears and putting them at risk of the poverty line. We hope the Government will listen to us. The things that concern me are issues like children’s diets. Families are struggling with the cost of living and the house suffers because parents are having to compromise on quality in the weekly shop. They have to keep a roof over their head and are worried about other related costs. Winter is coming.”
The ESRI figures show that 200,000 children are living in households below the poverty line. The number of children in households below the poverty line increased by almost 30,000 children in 2024, according to its data.
Analysis of the results shows that children in large families, in jobless households, or living in rental housing were more exposed to poverty. The Government has stated a target to reduce the number of children living in poverty to three per cent by 2030.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin this week said that the level child poverty is too high.
Researcher Dr Barra Roantree said: “If, as the Taoiseach says, child poverty is the priority; then there have to be substantial measures in the Budget.”