Press Release: Another Year Where Children are Left Looking for More

Press Release: Tuesday 10 October 

One Family, Ireland’s national organisation for one-parent families, has said that it is disappointed that a Government that promised to target low-income families and tackle child poverty instead seems to be thinking about the next election. 

Karen Kiernan, CEO of One Family states: “Whilst we welcome Government listening to us in relation to extending Child Benefit to young people still in full-time education and the need to increase the Single Person Child Carer Credit, we are shocked that one-parent families on social welfare are not being targeted for once-off cost of living increases as other payments are, despite clear evidence of need. 

“As One Family predicted, last year’s short-sighted Budget has helped push the poorest children in the State, even further into poverty. Between March 2022 and March 2023 one-parent households experienced a higher rate of inflation than nearly all other household types. Budget 2024 is unfortunately more of the same.”  

Carly Bailey, One Family’s Policy Officer states: “It is so frustrating to have another budget that leaves the poorest children behind as Government focusses on expensive once-off Child Benefit payments for everyone instead of targeting those who need it most.  

“Some increases are well behind inflation which is a rinse and repeat of last year.  Research tells us that one-parent families need long-term targeted supports to throw them a lifeline and truly tackle the scourge of child poverty. One-parent households are the most affected by consistent poverty and deprivation. In such a wealthy country it is shameful that so many families are being pushed into consistent poverty.”