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Children & Youth Affairs Minister Frances Fitzgerald today launched the first findings from Growing up in Ireland involving 11,100 three-year-olds and their parents.

Speaking at today’s event, the Minister welcomed the publication of these findings and noted how important it is to have a good understanding of what is happening in children’s lives. She said:　

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.

The research also  shows very positive elements of 3 year old children’s lives. It is clear that these children in general are in good health, have close and warm relationships with their grandparents and live in a stable family structure. Equally there are a number of disturbing findings including: one in four children are overweight or obese, and the clear economic strain being placed on families as a result of the recession.

These first longitudinal findings are very important for policymakers, as they allow us to track events across the life of the child.

Some of the key findings include:

• Almost two thirds (63%) of all families with three-year-olds reported that the recession had had a very significant or significant effect on them.

• 61% of families are finding it difficult to “make ends meet”.

• The most frequently recorded effects were: a reduction in wages (63%); can’t afford luxuries (54%), social welfare reduction (53%) and can’t afford/cut back on basics (32%).　

• Most of the children were described as being in good health; 75% were rated as very healthy and a further 23% were rated as healthy, but a few minor problems. Girls were more likely to be reported as very healthy (78%) compared with boys (72%).　

Read the full press release here.