Ireland’s second European Child Guarantee Progress Report published
- From: Department of Children, Disability and Equality
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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced the publication of Ireland’s second European Child Guarantee progress report.
The European Child Guarantee is an EU initiative that seeks to ensure children at risk of poverty or social exclusion have access to key services such as early childhood learning and care, healthcare, housing, school-based education and healthy school meals. These areas are key to children’s well-being and development and play an important role in breaking the cycle of poverty and social exclusion.
This report shows Ireland’s progress in the implementation of the European Child Guarantee over the period of 2024 to February 2026. Some of the actions Ireland has taken include the expansion of the Free Schoolbooks scheme to almost one million students in primary, post-primary and special schools, the expansion of the School Meals Programme, the launch of the Equal Start scheme in early learning and care, and the free Bia Blasta nutritious lunches for children in disadvantaged areas. A new National Child Poverty Target has been set to reduce the child consistent poverty rate to 3% or less by the end of 2030.
Making today’s announcement, Minister Foley said:
“The publication of Ireland’s second progress report under the European Child Guarantee reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to the services and supports they need to thrive. While significant progress has been achieved since the first report, I am mindful that challenges remain. This report provides an important opportunity to reflect on where we are, and consider further actions needed in key areas to continue to improve the lives of children and young people across Ireland.”
The European Child Guarantee was introduced in 2021. The latest European Child
Guarantee progress report follows on from the publication of the first progress report on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee in 2024.
As part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ireland will hold a meeting of European Child Guarantee coordinators in September 2026.
Ireland’s second European Child Guarantee progress report is available here.
ENDS
Notes to editor
Adopted by the Council of the European Union in 2021, the European Child Guarantee seeks to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing access for children who are in need of a range of key services. It calls on Member States to guarantee for children in need, free access to early childhood education and care; education (including school-based activities); and healthcare; and to ensure effective access to healthy nutrition, a healthy meal each school day and adequate housing.
‘Children in need’ means persons under the age of 18 years who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This includes children living in households at risk of poverty, or experiencing severe material and social deprivation, or with very low work intensity.
As part of the obligations for Ireland under the Guarantee, and in collaboration with a range of government departments, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality developed a National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee, which covers the period until 2030.
The European Child Guarantee is a constituent strategy of Young Ireland the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. As such, the governance and oversight structures of Young Ireland also oversee implementation of the Guarantee.
Additionally, Member States are requested to submit reports to the European Commission on the progress in implementing the Guarantee every 2 years. The first progress report on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee was published in 2024 and included the actions Ireland had made towards implementation, since the introduction of the Guarantee in 2021.
Today’s announcement marks the publication of Ireland’s second report to the Commission, with subsequent reports expected in 2028 and 2030.