Barnardos reports significant increase in waiting lists as the charity calls on the next Government to provide more support for families in need in Ireland

Barnardos launches Annual Report 2023

• More than 2,000 children and families are currently on Barnardos’ waiting list 
• Barnardos worked with 26,009 children and adults through their targeted and early intervention services– an increase of 25% from the previous year 
• Increased pressure on families is driving demand for support from Barnardos
• Additional funding for intensive family support to meet increasing demand is vital to help reduce pressures on care system and help children thrive.

Barnardos has launched its 2023 annual report which reflects the reality for vulnerable children living in Ireland, with a 25% increase in the numbers supported, and a waiting list of more than 2,000. The charity is also setting out its priority asks for a new government in election 2025.

Barnardos worked with 26,009 children and adults impacted by adversity and childhood trauma in 2023. The organisation provides trauma informed evidence-based services for children, parents, carers and individuals in their homes, schools or in one of Barnardos’ 56 service locations across Ireland.

The children’s charity reported 2,011 individuals as waiting for services. More than half of those on the list are waiting for longer than three months, and 600+ waiting for longer than six months.  

As a charitable organisation, Barnardos is dependent on fundraising efforts and State funding to deliver its services. Barnardos recorded an overall deficit of €0.7m in 2023, due to the increased demand for the charity’s services and needs to raise €10 million this year through the support of the public to meet the growing demand.

Barnardos supports children and families impacted by adverse childhood experiences such as:

• Parental separation and conflict
• Emotional and behavioural issues
• Unsuitable housing
• Parental mental health
• Bereavement
• Poverty and enforced deprivation
• Addiction
• Domestic violence and abuse
• Delay in receiving vital services

Ahead of the general election, Barnardos is calling on all parties to commit to significantly increase funding for intensive family support services to reduce the harm and trauma to children exposed to these issues. This would enable the charity to reach more vulnerable and disadvantaged children and parents and better meet the level of need for support across the country.

Increasing access to support and addressing family difficulties would help reduce stresses on parents, improve family relationships, prevent their problems escalating and ultimately place vulnerable children in a better position to flourish and thrive in the future.

Simultaneously, we need the new Government to commit to reduce parental adversities and drivers of childhood trauma. Many have increased over the past number of years, in particular homelessness and enforced deprivation, as a result of the cost of living crisis. For example, there must be improved targeted income supports guaranteeing children don’t go without essentials and a strategy to reduce family homelessness.

Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: “At Barnardos, we see firsthand the impact that trauma can have on children and the impact early intervention can have on their life – because childhood lasts a lifetime. Children are at the centre of everything we do.  We start by meeting each family, and we ask the children and parents what they would like to change – and we help them achieve that. More families need our help – our waiting lists are evidence of that. More and more families are also impacted by the housing and cost of living crises – we are doing everything in our power to support them through this also.”

“We are very proud of our frontline staff for supporting more families than ever before, however we do not feel our job is done while so many children and their parents wait for support.  The next Government must increase funding to match increasing levels of need and guarantee children and families can get access to the supports they need”.

Please support Barnardos new campaign – “Change Their Story – Because Childhood Lasts a Lifetime” to help change the trajectory of vulnerable children’s lives – www.barnardos.ie