The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald has launched the first findings from Growing up in Ireland — the infant cohort at three years involving 11,100 three-year-olds and their parents.
“This research highlights the heavy economic strain being experienced by families today, which is deeply disturbing. It also shows what we already know on a personal basis, families are finding it very tough to make ends meet,” commented the Minister.
Key findings include: Almost two thirds of all families with three-year-olds reported that the recession had had a very significant or significant effect on them. Sixty one per cent of families are finding it difficult to “make ends meet”.
The most frequently recorded effects were: a reduction in wages (63 per cent ), cannot afford luxuries (54 per cent ), social welfare reduction (53 per cent ), and cannot afford/cut back on basics (32 per cent ).
Most of the children were described as being in good health. Girls were more likely to be reported as very healthy (78 per cent ) compared with boys (72 per cent ). One in four, or one quarter, of three-year-old children were overweight (19 per cent ) or obese (six per cent ).
The Minister said: “The study gives us important information on what is happening in the lives of three-year-olds and their families and paints the picture of key trends in children’s development over time.”
