Baby bank demand surges 127% in Cork as cost-of-living crisis bites

Demand for essential baby items from Community Connect, Ireland’s national baby bank, has surged by 127% in Cork in the space of a year, significantly higher than the national increase of 50%.

Last year, 1,006 items, including clothing bundles, packs of essential hygiene supplies, buggies, cots, cribs, and car seats, were delivered to Cork families — up from 444 in 2024. The number of families supported also more than doubled from 96 to 200.

A spokesperson for Community Connect said the sharp increase in Cork was driven by referrals coming into them from a number of sources including social workers, the Cork University Maternity Hospital, domestic violence shelters, migrant support organisations, and community healthcare providers

They added that Community Connect had to put a van on the road in Cork last year to allow them to manage the increased volume of deliveries.

A recent ESRI report shows that the cost-of-living crisis means one in five children in Ireland is living below the poverty line once housing costs are accounted for, with a Community Connect spokesperson saying this means that families often “face impossible choices between heating the home, putting food on the table, or affording basic necessities like nappies, cots, or buggies”.

Elaine Noonan, CEO and co-founder of Community Connect, said: “It’s not easy to raise a child in today’s economy, especially with the ongoing cost-of-living and housing crises.

“For families without financial stability, the challenge of providing even the basics for their children can feel overwhelming.

Her comments came following the announcement that Ikea will donate €1 from the sale of every product from their new ‘Grejsimojs’ collection between February 1 and April 26 to directly to Community Connect

“We are delighted to be teaming up with Ikea again to ease that burden and help parents feel more supported during those crucial early stages of their child’s life,” said Ms Noonan.

Hiliary Jenkins, head of social impact and community engagement at Ikea Ireland, said: “With more than 80 years of experience in life at home, we know that a safe, secure, and comfortable home is the foundation of a child’s wellbeing and development.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Community Connect again, amplifying our vision to create a better everyday life for the many.”

Through a previous partnership with Ikea in 2024, Community Connect were able to support 650 families across Ireland.