Some 90,000 children in Ireland are living in consistent poverty, according to the children's charity Barnardos.
The charity today opened a campaign to highlight the issue and called on the Government to eliminate child poverty by 2010.
It claims that at least 5,000 children born in Ireland this year will be born into conditions of consistent poverty. They will be nine times more likely to leave school early without qualifications than other children, will be more likely to be unemployed and more likely to suffer health problems and to misuse drugs, the charity says.
Speaking at the Mansion House in Dublin, Barnardos chief executive Mr Owen Keenan said: "The reality is that we everyday see children who are hungry, children without proper clothing, and children denied the opportunity to realise their full potential."
A report published by Barnardos today includes case studies to illustrate what Mr Keenan said was the reality of child poverty.
"The level of child poverty has fallen in recent years which shows it is possible to tackle child poverty, but we have to realise that it will take much more concerted action to enable the 90,000 children who are experiencing poverty to play a full part in our society."
"In spite of progress, we really should be doing much, much better," Mr Keenan added.
"The Government must make the elimination of child poverty by 2010 its top priority and Barnardos expects to see this reflected in the Budget for 2004. We need to move beyond research and analysis to effective action."