Nearly half of families in Ireland are cutting back on or going without basic essentials such as food, electricity and heating, according to Barnardos’ Cost of Living - Impact on Children 2025 report published today.
The research, carried out by Amárach on behalf of the children’s charity, paints a stark picture of life for families struggling to stay afloat in the face of persistently high living costs. Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 parents with children under 18, the report highlights how financial pressure is continuing to erode children’s quality of life across the country.
Key findings include:
18% of families went without or cut back on heating over the past six months, and 17% did the same for electricity.
Nearly one-third (32%) of parents reported falling into arrears on energy bills due to lack of income.
19% of families had to reduce or skip meals, with 40% of parents admitting they cut their own portions or skipped meals so their children could eat.
28% said they didn’t have enough food at some point to feed their children, and 12% had to use a foodbank.
41% cut back on clothing, and 19% skipped medical appointments.
52% of families went without social activities.
78% of parents said the cost-of-living crisis was negatively affecting their children, with 19% saying the impact was significant.
70% of parents worry regularly about not being able to provide daily essentials for their children.
Only a quarter of parents surveyed said they did not have to cut back on essentials. Many described the toll the crisis is taking not just financially, but emotionally.
“I have turned the heating down in the house to reduce the bill,” said one parent.
“The kids now sleep with extra blankets and wear jumpers or hoodies around the house. I never want my children to go cold or hungry.”
Another parent shared:
“There’s not much left for any pleasures in life. It’s grim and not getting any better.”
A Growing Impact on Children
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said the results reveal the growing and long-term impact of the cost-of-living crisis on children’s well-being.
“The statistics in this report show that parents and children across the country are still going without or having to cut back on basic essentials,” she said. “Parents on the lowest incomes are really struggling, as well as those just outside the threshold for welfare supports. They’re trying everything, but unfortunately at times they are failing to meet even basic needs.”
Connolly warned that despite previous emergency cost-of-living measures by the Government, the problem has remained largely unchanged since Barnardos began reporting on it four years ago.
“There must be targeted, permanent supports introduced. Otherwise, more children will go without essentials next year,” she said.
Barnardos is calling for immediate government action, including:
Increasing the Child Support Payment in line with inflation – by €6 per week for under-12s and €15 for over-12s in Budget 2026.
Raising the income disregard threshold for one-parent family payments to better protect those most at risk.
Ensuring families on prepaid electricity or gas meters are charged the lowest possible rates, and expanding fuel allowance to cover those receiving the Working Family Payment.
Connolly concluded:
“At an absolute minimum, every child in Ireland should live in a home with adequate heating, electricity, nutritious food and appropriate clothing. Parents should not live in constant financial distress just to provide their children with the basics.”
