Nearly a quarter of 'stressed and guilty' Dublin families are fearful of falling into food poverty as the cost of living skyrockets.
New research launched by Barnardos and Aldifound that nearly a quarter of Dublin parents often worry about not being able to provide food for their children - and nearly three in 10 people in Ireland have witnessed child food poverty first-hand.
Parents across the country who are concerned about food described themselves as feeling “stressed” (36 percent), “worried about the future” (33 percent ), and “guilty” (30 percent), about their current situation, among other negative emotions.
Three in four (74 percent) of those who witnessed child food poverty first-hand noticed an impact on the child’s physical development, and 70 percent saw how it affected their social and emotional development.
The study showed that food poverty also affected the child’s education (65 percent) and ability to maintain relationships (44 percent).
Other findings from the survey shows that:
48 percent of Dublin parents have in the past cut back spending in areas such as gas and electricity, transport and medical bills to afford food
three in ten people have witnessed food poverty first-hand in Ireland and the long-lasting impact it has on children
10 percent of those looking after children in Dublin skip meals in an average week
12 percent of Dublin parents feel “close” to food poverty
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: “We see far too many families, often one parent families, deprived of access to fundamental life essentials such as food and heat.
“Parents tell us of the very difficult decisions they are forced to make to keep their family fed, by either going without a meal themselves, or needing to turn off their heating in order to buy food - with one respondent saying they feel like a failure.
“We know that a child who is hungry, cannot concentrate which is why food is such a key part of many of Barnardo's services – from providing meals to children daily, and providing families with food parcels to take home.
“Access to affordable nutritious food is key to a child’s development and has a lifelong positive impact on a child.”
Group Managing Director of Aldi Ireland Niall O’Connor added: “With two thirds of people spending up to half of their income on food costs, our role in keeping prices low and affordable becomes even more important.
“The top priority for most families this year will be managing their household budgets in the face of rising living costs, and they can be reassured Aldi will always offer the best prices for groceries.”
You can support Barnardos’ services to vulnerable children and families in Ireland by texting KIDS to 50300 to donate €4.
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