Ireland has seen one of Europe’s biggest increases in adults living with their parents.

Some 28% of Irish adults aged between 25 and 34 still live with their parents, according to a recent report by Eurofound.  

While this is below the EU average of 30%, it puts Ireland in the top seven countries of adults still living with their parents.  

Psychiatrist Professor Brendan Kelly said the situation affects young adult’s independent development in the long-term.  

“Traditionally, the first few decades of life, the first four decades, were spent honing those [independence] skills and establishing oneself,” he told The Pat Kenny Show.  

“Not being able to find your own place to live does hold back the development of those skills.” 

Prof Kelly said the “diminution of happiness” is also significant among parents. 

“It's difficult for children sometimes to understand that this is also not how the parents saw their later years being either, so there’s an adjustment going on for everyone,” he said.  

He said previous research shows that parents have a higher boost in joy seeing their children move out of the house.  

“Parents want to see their kids move out into the world and flourish,” he said.  

Housing crisis

Journalist and mother of five Brenda Power still has a few adult children living at home – and she agreed she would like to see them more independent.  

“You're happier for them when you see them make their own way in the world,” she said.  

While Ms Power’s children are helpful around the house and don’t act like children, she said simple skills like paying for utilities and organising home repairs are lacking.  

She said her children do not still live at home because they are lazy – but because of the housing crisis.  

“This is absolutely a function of the housing crisis,” she said. “Properties are just not available and they’re not affordable.” 

“You can’t blame them for staying as long as they possibly can.” 

Living with kids

Ms Power said their living situation is happy despite their desire to move out.  

“I really enjoy the fact that for years, when you go away on holidays, you have to find someone to keep an eye on the house, [but] now I can just say, “I'm off for the week”, and there’s always someone there,” she said.  

She said each child contributes to groceries and housework, and they each have their own space.  

“So far, I've not had to say, ‘not under my roof’,” she said.  

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