Ireland’s first European Child Guarantee interim report published
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

• The European Child Guarantee seeks to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing access for children who are in need to a range of key services.
• This is Ireland’s first interim report, with a mid-term review in 2026, another interim report in 2028, and a final report in 2030.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the publication of Ireland’s first European Child Guarantee interim report. This report shows the steps Ireland has taken, since the introduction of the Guarantee in 2021, to make sure that children can access the services and supports they need to have the best possible start in life.

The European Child Guarantee focusses on six main areas: early childhood care and education; education and school-based activities; healthy school meals; healthcare; nutrition; and housing. These areas each play an important role in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. The recent expansion of the School Meals Programme, the extension of free GP access to all children under the age of eight, and the recently announced Equal Start funding, are just some of the actions Ireland is taking towards making things better for children in need.

Making today’s announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:

“When we adopted the European Child Guarantee, Ireland restated our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for children at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and to breaking cycles of intergenerational disadvantage.”

The Minister added:

“The publication of this report is a timely opportunity to reflect on the progress made in implementing the Guarantee, and to consider the key areas in need of renewed focus, as we continue to combat social exclusion for children in Ireland.”

For more information and to read the full report, click here

Note for Editors:
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, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has developed a National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee, which covers the period until 2030.

Additionally, Member States are requested to submit reports to the European Commission on the progress in implementing the Guarantee every 2 years. Today’s announcement marks the publication of Ireland’s first report to the Commission, with subsequent reports expected in 2026, 2028 and 2030.