Impact on Child Development and Stability
The housing crisis in Ireland is inflicting profound, potentially long-term damage on one-parent families, according to the 2025 Annual Report released today by One Family, a national organization supporting lone parents. The report highlights that the lack of secure housing is not merely a financial burden but a fundamental barrier to child development and family safety.
Data from the organization reveals that babies and toddlers living in emergency accommodation are experiencing delays in motor skill development. Furthermore, the crisis is forcing many separated parents to continue living together in overcrowded or unsuitable housing, a dynamic that the group reports is creating significant negative impacts on the mental health of children trapped in these environments.
Systemic Barriers and Safety Risks
Karen Kiernan, CEO of One Family, described the current situation as a failure of the state to protect vulnerable families. “Without a safe and secure home, it’s incredibly difficult for families to separate well, to enter or remain in employment or education, and to focus on parenting their children,” Kiernan stated. The report also warns that official statistics likely underestimate the scale of the problem, as many families are not categorized as homeless but are instead “couch surfing” or occupying dangerously overcrowded homes.
The intersection of housing insecurity and domestic abuse presents a particularly urgent challenge. Corrine Hasson of the National Women’s Council noted that domestic abuse is a leading driver of homelessness for women. “For lone parents, this situation is even more difficult, and indeed some women may choose to stay in an abusive or exploitative situation because they feel it is safer for their children,” Hasson said, characterizing the state’s response as insufficient.
Policy Recommendations for Budget 2027
One Family is calling on the government to utilize the upcoming Budget 2027 to implement targeted protections. Their recommendations include:
- Establishing a new ‘Additional Needs Payment’ to protect a minimum income level after housing costs are met.
- Increasing income thresholds for the One Parent Family Payment and Jobseekers Transitional Payment.
- Adjusting Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) rates to reflect current market rents.
Beyond immediate financial relief, the organization emphasizes the need for long-term investment in employability programs, such as their ‘New Futures’ initiative, to help lone parents transition from social welfare reliance to sustainable careers.