'Seismic' impact of homelessness on Limerick children sparks calls for counselling supports

Calls have been made for children in Limerick who remain in emergency accommodation for more than six months to be offered counselling. The request follows a sharp rise in rental prices and continued pressure on families. Rent increases of 4.4% over four months are expected to add strain to vulnerable households. Long-term homelessness is described as having severe effects on children, including arrested development and lasting psychological consequences. Children in emergency accommodation are said to lack security and privacy and miss normal childhood activities. Data from NOVAS indicates 8% of families are overholding in rented homes due to no alternative housing options. Figures from the Department of Housing show hundreds of adults and families, including many children, using emergency accommodation in the Mid-West and nationally.

"Aontú councillor Sarah Beasley has called for this following what she described as a "huge" rise in rental prices and ongoing pressure on families across the State. She said the latest figures showing rents have increased by 4.4% over the past four months will add further strain to already vulnerable households. "These latest hikes are absolutely huge. For them to jump that much in just four months must be absolutely terrifying for people already struggling just to stand still and keep up with the ever rising prices," she said."

"The councillor said the impact of long-term homelessness on children is "seismic", warning that prolonged stays in emergency accommodation are having lasting developmental and psychological consequences. "Homeless children are extremely vulnerable and really their development is being arrested. They have no security, they have no privacy, they can't invite others round for play dates, sleepovers, the normal things that children do and that so many can take for granted," she said."

"According to NOVAS: "8pc of families are currently overholding in their rented accommodation, that is, remaining in their homes beyond the date of termination due to having no alternative housing options, including emergency or hotel accommodation." According to the Department of Housing's latest Monthly Homelessness Report, there were 746 adults accessing emergency accommodation across the Mid-West region during the week of March 23 to 29, 2026. This includes 646 adults in Limerick alone."

"The report also showed that 206 families were in emergency accommodation across the Mid-West, including 347 children under the age of 18. Nationally, 5,571 children were recorded as living in emergency accommodation during the same period. She added that many children are left feeling isolated"

Read at Irish Independent