The number of children living in poverty and children suffering from abuse has risen since 2008.

The official State of the Nation’s Children report showed how Ireland’s more vulnerable children were missing out on basic services because of the level of poverty in which they live.

The number of families in need of social house increased to 24 percent. The report also showed that children in Traveller families or with disabilities were less likely to feel safe.

In Ireland 8.7 percent of children now live in poverty. This has increased from the 6.3 percent figure in 2008 but it is still below the 11 percent living in poverty in 2006.

Also the number of children being abused has increased by 20 percent according to the Irish Times.

The startling report also showed that one quarter of children aged seven are overweight or obese.