Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) costs increase by 1.8% in last year with cumulative increase of 18.8% since 2020
Households with older children (second-level age) and single adult headed households have a greater risk of deep income inadequacy when dependent on social welfare
17 June 2025.......The annual Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) report published today by the Vincentian MESL Research Centre at the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP). says that essential minimum living costs increased by 1.8% in the past year with a cumulative increase of 18.8% nationally since 2020.
The report also shows that the cost of the needs of a child aged 12 and over remains the highest of any other age group of children, at €158 per week in 2025. Social welfare meets 64% of needs for this age-group.
The cost of the needs of a primary school age child is €98, while the needs of a preschool-age child costs €72 per week.
As child’s needs vary with age the MESL data defines four child-age groups - infancy, preschool, primary school and second level - and identifies the direct cost of meeting needs at each stage of childhood.
Parents in the deliberative groups not only discussed the essentials required to meet physical needs such as food, shelter and warmth, but also the importance of meeting children’s psychological and social needs.
In addition to the results for a child’s needs other key findings from the report are:
- Income Adequacy: The real value of social protection rates, relative to a MESL, show a reduction in the level of adequate cases found, but also a reduction in deep income inadequacy, that is, where income meets less than 90% of expenditure needs. For example, the MESL needs for a one parent household with a primary and second-level child cost €555 per week. When dependent on social welfare supports, income only meets 82% of this household’s minimum needs.
- Employment and Minimum Wage: The MESL analysis demonstrates the crucial role of in-work supports, affordable childcare and affordable housing in enabling income adequacy for households in employment. While employment generally improves household income, the adequacy of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) continues to be a concern. The cost of the minimum baskets for an urban single adult in minimum wage full-time employment has risen by 5.6% in 2025. This is as a result of rising private rents in the Dublin area, alongside an increase in home energy and food costs. The income shortfall for this household type & income scenario is €131 per week, meeting 78.3% of MESL needs.
The MESL research seeks to answer a simple question: “What do people need to live with dignity?”. This answer comes from the public, who, through deliberative focus groups, agree on the minimum essentials needed for a decent life in Irish society.
Despite the significant events that have taken place since the previous tranche of focus groups held in 2018/19, there remains a strong consensus on the kinds of goods and services required to live at a minimum, but socially acceptable level.
And despite the evolving social, economic and technological landscape, the core principles underpinning the MESL remain consistent: that everyone should have access to the goods and services necessary to meet their physical, psychological, and social needs, and to participate fully in society.
The full report can be found by Clicking Here
