No child should have to live in a home that’s forced to cut back on meals while supermarkets are raking in massive profits, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly.
Speaking on today’s Barnardos report, Deputy Farrelly said:
“The details of today’s damning Barnardos report are shocking but not surprising. Huge increases in grocery prices in recent years means families are spending an extra €3,000 a year to put food on the table.
“An increasing number of families simply can’t afford these prices. In the past year alone, grocery prices have increased at three times the rate of general inflation, leading to parents cutting back on meals just to feed their kids.
“As the Barnardos report makes clear, simply paying for the basics – rent, energy and food – is now increasingly difficult. Around one-in-five families have cut back on or gone without heating in the past six months, while one third of parents have gone into arrears on energy bills due to insufficient income.
“In a wealthy country like ours, there is simply no excuse for families to be struggling in this way. Regrettably, under this government, deprivation and child poverty are getting worse. Last year, for example, the number of children living in consistent poverty nearly doubled.
“Instead of doing anything to address this crisis, the government is sitting back as it grows. Shamefully, they failed to even ensure that profit gouging by supermarket chains is not contributing to skyrocketing prices.
“This is why, tomorrow, the Social Democrats will bring forward a motion to the Dáil to tackle sky-high grocery prices. We have put forward several solutions – including full transparent around profits and more teeth for regulators – and will be asking the government to implement them.
“Additionally, a second, targeted tier of child welfare payment for those who need it would be a powerful tool in reducing child poverty. This must be seriously considered by government ahead of Autumn’s budget.”
July 8th, 2025