Child poverty needs to be placed at the top of the political agenda as figures reveal it is worsening in Ireland.
The call from Treoir, the Child and Family support organisation comes as CSO figures for last year show an increase of 7.5 per cent in the numbers of children in consistant poverty while there was a 20 per cent rise in children in deprivation.
The organisation is calling on the government to implement a Minimum Standard of Living for all famalies in the budget.
Treoir CEO Damien Peelo said the current housing crisis is contributing to the rising poverty and social exclusion experienced by lone-parent families.
“In Ireland, lone-parent families (80% headed by women) are over-represented in homeless figures, housing waiting lists, in the private rented accommodation sector and have low homeownership rates. Fathers who are in temporary, shared, or homeless accommodation are often unable to facilitate access with their child which can have a detrimental effect on their relationship.
“On top of this, becoming homeless and living in homeless, insecure or temporary accommodation can be deeply traumatic for children.
“These traumatic experiences have lasting impacts and we need to intervene now and to prevent longer term problems. Children who grew up in poverty are 35% more likely to be in adult deprivation.”
