The number of children living in households below the poverty line in Ireland reached 200,000 in 2024, an increase of nearly 30,000 since 2021, according to research published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). When housing costs are factored into household budgets, the total rises to 260,000 children, underscoring the severe impact of accommodation expenses on family living standards.

The findings, published in the ESRI's sixth annual report on poverty, income inequality, and living standards in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, show that child poverty grew despite a 4% increase in average real disposable household income between 2023 and 2024. However, income gains were unevenly distributed. Incomes for the top 10% of households grew by more than 7%, compared to 3% for the bottom half, widening social inequality across the state.

Families with children under five were identified as among the most severely affected by living costs and uneven income distribution. The study noted that private rental charges and mortgage commitments absorb a major share of lower-income families' disposable income, leaving significantly less for daily essentials.

Barra Roantree, assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin and co-author of the report, stated that incorporating housing costs into official metrics is essential. He noted that the government's official target—reducing child poverty to 3% by 2030—does not factor in housing expenses, warning that new measures such as a second tier of child benefit will be necessary to make progress toward the target.

Denise Charlton, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland, said the findings demonstrate that national economic growth alone does not guarantee social progress or equal opportunities for young children, calling for targeted budgetary interventions to relieve low-income households.