Almost a quarter of parents in Ireland had to borrow money last year to feed their kids

Jody Coffey

The impacts of the cost of living crisis can be seen and felt all across Ireland

A survey of 1,000 people released today has revealed that one in four parents had to borrow money last year to feed their kids.

The study was carried out by Coyne Research on behalf of Barnardos and Aldi and shows the challenges parents have just to keep food on the table.

By the end of 2023, families were feeling the full impacts of the cost of living crisis, according to the survey, as 41 per cent of parents surveyed said they had skipped meals and cut down on their portions so they could feed their children.

This is a 12 per cent increase on the survey done in 2022.

Around 24 per cent of parents in Ireland also said they had to borrow money to feed their families last year — a 16 per cent rise from the year before.

Sadly, a quarter of parents confessed to cutting back on medical costs, while 21 per cent admitted to reducing the money they spent on their children’s activities.

The number of parents using food banks also increased from last year from 10 per cent to 12 per cent.

In 2023, one in four families were lucky enough to not need to make any cutbacks to afford food for their families — a decrease from 36 per cent in 2022.

The findings highlight how the cost-of-living crisis is forcing families to choose between food and other essentials, such as energy costs.

Suzanne Connolly, CEO of Barnardos says that these findings align with Barnardo’s experience of working with vulnerable children and families in communities across Ireland.

“The results in this survey reflect what Barnardos are seeing on the ground every day,” Suzanne said.

“Parents are being faced with difficult decisions to make for their families more frequently than ever.

“A lack of nutritious meals has an impact on the emotional and mental well-being of both child and parent for a long to time to come. Because childhood lasts a lifetime.”

In response to the survet findings, ALDI Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver value for its customers in a bid to shield them from rising costs and provide access to quality, affordable, nutritious food without compromise.

ALDI has also observed changes in customer shopping behaviours in response to challenges associated with the rising cost of living.

The chain has pledged to raise €2 million for Barnardos by 2024, with over €1.5 million already contributed through staff, store, customer, and community initiatives at the stores since October 2020.