According to leading charities, Ireland’s €13 billion Apple tax windfall presents a rare opportunity to transform the lives of its children and young people. The Children’s Rights Alliance and Community Foundation Ireland have urged the government to allocate this unprecedented sum to combat child poverty and invest in the country’s future generations.
A new report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) illuminates the dire situation: an “unacceptable number” of children across Ireland and Northern Ireland are living in poverty. The report highlights the urgency of using the windfall to address this crisis, especially as a new coalition government prepares to take office.
A historic opportunity: Using the Apple tax windfall for Ireland’s children
Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, described the windfall as a transformative opportunity for Ireland. “These funds completely eclipse the total spend in many of the key areas of children and young people’s lives and the public services they engage in,” she said.
Ward emphasized that even a fraction of the €13 billion could revolutionize education, early years infrastructure, and essential public services for children. She criticized the lack of focus on children and young people in discussions about spending money and urged the government to prioritize this demographic.
The €13 billion stems from a protracted legal battle resolved by the European Court of Justice in September. While the Irish State argued that the payment was unnecessary, the court ruled to collect the taxes.
As political parties propose housing and infrastructure projects as potential uses for the funds, Ward insists the focus must extend to child poverty.
Investing the Apple tax windfall for a brighter future
The ESRI’s report highlights alarming trends in child material deprivation across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Material deprivation occurs when families cannot afford two out of five necessities, such as paying bills on time or keeping their homes warm.
From 2010 to 2023, Ireland consistently had higher rates of child material deprivation than Northern Ireland. However, recent data reveals that deprivation in Northern Ireland has risen to match Ireland’s level, with 24% of children in both regions affected.
Professor Helen Russell, the report’s author, described child poverty as a critical issue that demands urgent government action. “An unacceptable number of children on the island of Ireland are experiencing poverty, and reducing this must be a priority for governments on both sides of the border,” she said.
The report calls for comprehensive welfare, educational, and labor market supports to combat child poverty effectively. It also emphasizes the importance of clear targets, political accountability, and cross-border cooperation to achieve meaningful change.
A Call to action: Harnessing the Apple tax windfall to drive reform
The Children’s Rights Alliance and other advocates stress that the government must use the Apple tax windfall to tackle the root causes of child poverty. With material deprivation rates rising and necessities out of reach for many families, the time for action is now.
Ireland has a historic opportunity to secure a brighter future for its children. By allocating the €13 billion windfall to initiatives that directly address child poverty, the government can ensure that no child is left behind in a nation of prosperity.