One in two Irish parents and their children have gone without basic needs due to the cost-of-living crisis.

That’s according to a new study by Barnardos that found 47% of parents have gone without, or cut down on, one or more of heat, electricity, medical products, or food over the past six months.

Some 81% of parents also said that cost of living issues have negatively affected their children, and more than a quarter are “always worried” about being able to provide daily essentials for their children.

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin leader. Image:  Sam Boal / © RollingNews.ie

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald questioned the Government’s strategy for reducing household costs in the Dáil today.

“You must know that raising the cost of petrol and diesel again and again will hurt these families so don’t do it,” she said.

“If you are serious about really tackling the cost of living, start by scrapping your plan to hike the price of petrol and diesel in August and October.

“Last month, you chose to increase the cost of petrol and you propose to do so twice more once these elections have passed.

“Despite your stated concern, and instead of making every effort to reduce costs to households, you’re proposing to increase them.”

The Barnardos study also found that 47% of parents have had to cut back on social activities for themselves and their children.

Parents deprivation

Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said they see the firsthand impacts living in deprivation can have on children all the time.

“Staff across our services are reporting that the cost-of-living increases are having a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of the children in the families we support,” she said.

“There is a risk that without additional targeted supports this year, as prices remain high, more and more children will be pulled into deprivation and will go without for longer.”

Barnardos is calling for lower energy rates and increased social welfare payments for vulnerable families in Ireland.