Barnardos today reported its work with children living in poverty and suffering from domestic violence in the home, health problems and inadequate nutrition.
Publishing its annual review of 2006, the charity said 99 per cent of the children it worked with last year displayed "needs relating to their living environment", such as sub-standard accommodation, incidence of crime and antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhoods and lack of money.
Some 91 per cent of children who came to the charity had family and relationship needs, ranging from family discord to domestic violence. Almost a third had health needs, including speech and language problems, inadequate nutrition, developmental delays and poor physical care.
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay called on the Government to put in place an "adequate response" to the needs the charity encounters.
"There are one million children in Ireland today and one in nine of them are living in consistent poverty," Mr Finlay said.
"Many of the children Barnardos works with put up with hunger, bullying, violence and anxiety as part of their daily routine. Many are frightened of stepping outside their front door because there are no safe places to play.
"Children are living in sub-standard houses and are exposed to the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Where you are born should not dictate where you end up. However, evidence shows that children who are reared in disadvantaged areas are more likely to encounter problems with poverty, education, health and crime."
Mr Finlay urged Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to consider putting in place a programme of funding for early childhood care and education.
The annual review shows Barnardos raised total income of €19.5 million last year (56 per cent from statutory sources, 46 per cent voluntary donations), an increase of 11 per cent on 2005.
The charity spent some €19.4 million, with 88 cent of every euro (excluding retail shops) spent on its work with children and families. Ten cent in every euro was spent on generating funds, and two cent of every euro was spent on governance.