Barnardos Children’s Budget 2026

In the recent Programme for Government1 there was a commitment to implement actions to ‘lift more children out of poverty, giving them the futures they deserve’. The Taoiseach Michael Martin reiterated this at the National Economic Dialogue stating that for Budget 2026 he is asking ministers to plan and come forward with measures that will really make the difference to the most vulnerable families and children. In order to achieve this, and improve childhoods for those most at risk, there must be increased financial supports as well as additional family, health and developmental supports. Too many children continue to go without essentials, and too many families and children go without the support they need to have a decent childhood and provide them with the best opportunities to develop. All children should have access to decent quality homes, parents who are in a position to support, access to essentials and the ability to access essential services. The longer children live in poverty and deprivation and go without essential supports, the greater an impact it will have on their health, wellbeing, and future development.

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