Child poverty and housing shortage are destroying the social contract

For Ireland’s young people, rhetoric is not enough; what this generation really needs is genuine commitment and urgency to see problems solved

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), in 2023 over half a million people in Ireland were living in poverty, including 176,912 children. Picture: Ian West/PA

In Ireland today, thousands of children have no place to call home while their families struggle to make ends meet. Poverty and the housing crisis impact everyone, from families with children to young people taking their first steps into adulthood. 

During the election, we heard about proposals such as savings accounts for newborns, and while they may make good soundbites, they do little to tackle the systemic issues facing younger generations in Ireland. These issues often dominate our media headlines and political debates. But for Ireland’s young people, rhetoric is not enough; what this generation really needs is genuine commitment and urgency to see these problems solved.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), in 2023 over half a million people in Ireland were living in poverty, including 176,912 children. People under the age of 18 have the highest risk of poverty by age group, while single-parent families have the second highest risk among households.

Child poverty is a real issue in Irish society, and without urgent action, it’s likely that more families and young people will fall below the poverty line.

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While housing instability often comes hand in hand with poverty, access to secure, affordable housing is one of the key challenges facing families from all demographics in Ireland. The most recent government figures reveal that over 2,000 families across Ireland were living in emergency accommodation as of December 2024. 

This has a significant impact on children as homelessness influences every area of a child’s life from conception to young adulthood. According to research from Temple Street Hospital, a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development are all negatively impacted by homelessness.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has previously expressed the need for the Government to strengthen the social contract. However, child poverty and homelessness are examples of the social contract in total breakdown. The impact of poverty goes far beyond childhood; it trails a long arc into adulthood. Funding targeted measures to address child poverty is not only the compassionate thing to do; it is essential for Ireland to realise its full potential for the future.

In December 2024, 4,510 children and 1,775 young people between the ages of 18 and 24 were recorded as homeless. Having a stable place to live is one of the basic prerequisites for being able to engage as a full member of society, and yet it is a situation that is denied for so many young people in our country. 

The current housing crisis is having a significant impact on young people’s mental health and financial wellbeing. High prices, lack of availability, and poor-quality homes are creating stress and anxiety, pushing thousands of young people abroad, including much-needed teachers and healthcare workers.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has previously expressed the need for the Government to strengthen the social contract. However, child poverty and homelessness are examples of the social contract in total breakdown. Picture: Cameron Smith/PA

While it is positive to see ambition in the programme for government regarding housing policy, in order to tackle the challenges faced by younger generations, the Government must rapidly escalate the level of intervention in the housing market. Far more homes are needed to keep up with demand across society, and action is required to curb the bulk-buying of homes by institutional investors where these prevent young people from acquiring their own homes within reasonable distance from the places in which they live, work and socialise.

It is also a reality that many young people will continue to rent for a long time, both as a normal part of a person’s life cycle and because of delayed access to home ownership. Therefore, the Government must also take serious action to improve the security and liveability of existing rental housing stock. This can ensure that no young person is expected to live in substandard accommodation.

Child poverty and homelessness are two of the most pressing social issues facing our country today. They are deeply intertwined, creating a cycle that deprives young people of stability, education, and opportunity. Without urgent government intervention, we risk allowing another generation to grow up without the security and support they need to thrive.

There are holistic strategies the Government can take to improve the fate of Ireland’s young people. Youth work is a proven way to help tackle the systemic issues affecting children and young people, particularly for young people growing up in poverty. It addresses a range of social issues across the country and acts as a vital link between so many state services. However, in order to reach as many young people as possible, the youth work sector needs greater support and investment.

Politics is ultimately about choices. The new Government has the opportunity to make the right choices and follow through with action. Making the decision to prioritise young people and children can strengthen the social contract, and Irish society will be the better for it.

• Jack Eustace is the policy manager at spunout, Ireland’s youth information and support platform.