Today’s dismal report card from the Children’s Right’s Alliance is an indictment of this government and reflects its failures during its first year, according to Social Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly said:
“Last year, the government scored one ‘A’ grade and four ‘B’ grades, while this year it achieved no ‘A’ grades and just one ‘B’ grade – a truly pathetic performance.
“This report shows yet again that this is a government of broken promises and missed targets. It is incapable of delivering on even its own modest targets.
“This coalition is emphatically failing children when it comes to poverty, homelessness and housing, access to disability assessment and support services, and a plethora of other basic rights, which is in stark contrast to its election promises.
“There is now a huge range of critical issues, issues which disproportionately impact vulnerable adults and children, that this government is failing to deliver on.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are epic wasters: wasting time, money and a generational opportunity to invest in a better future. Never before has a government had so much money to make a real difference to people’s lives – and failed so comprehensively.
“On housing, its record is particularly grim, and getting worse with every passing day. A record 5,319 children are now homeless, and the number of eviction notices has increased by a staggering 41%in the past year alone. The government’s housing plan is a social catastrophe.
“We need major policy reform when it comes to childcare and early years education, and we need confirmation that a second tier of child benefit payment will be forthcoming in Budget 27. These are policies that should have been adopted last year – a seachange in approach is urgently needed.”
March 23rd, 2026