Income Distribution

Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce recommend Universal Basic Income trial

Friday, 20 November 2020

basic income introduce full one over time

Social Justice Ireland welcomes the central recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce to establish a Pilot Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme with a duration of three years. A Universal Basic Income pilot scheme for artists is the priamry recommendation of the report 'Life Worth Living'.

A Fairer Future requires A New Social Dialogue Building a Better Future Social Justice Ireland’s Annual Social Policy Conference

Wednesday, 18 November 2020

“Ireland, and indeed the planet, face several crises ranging from pandemic to pollution to poverty; a situation where ‘business as usual’ can mean only social and environmental catastrophe. We have reached a point where adoption of a new Social Contract is surely a necessity. All sectors of Irish society should be engaged in an ongoing Social Dialogue to decide how best to proceed” –stated Dr Seán Healy, in his opening address to Social Justice Ireland’s annual policy conference today (Wednesday, 18th November).

Social fairness and solidarity vital to European recovery

Monday, 16 November 2020

Social fairness and solidarity are more important than ever in the European Union if it is to meet the challenges of demographic ageing, climate change and digitalisation and deal with the aftermath of Covid-19. This is according to the latest 'Employment and Social Developments in Europe Report ‘Fairness and Solidarity in the European Social Market Economy’.

Commission on Pensions should examine universal pension

Wednesday, 4 November 2020

The establishment of the Commission on Pensions is welcome, but rather than being restricted to examining the future of the State Pension Age, the Commission should also look into expanding eligibility of the State Social Welfare Pension, and examine the fairness of pension-related tax breaks.

More than 637,000 people are still living in poverty in Ireland despite modest improvements in poverty rates

Tuesday, 27 October 2020

600843 survey on income and living conditions silc 2019 infographic eng

More than 637,000 people are still living in poverty in Ireland, of which over 193,600 are children, despite modest improvements in poverty rates. Social Justice Ireland responds to release of CSO SILC 2019.

Hard Brexit Threat for Low Income Households

Monday, 26 October 2020

Although the potential for a hard-Brexit has been overshadowed by the challenges of Coivd-19 during recent months, the potential for sudden and significant changes in economic activity and living standards from January 1st 2021 remains a major threat.

Budget 2021 leaves poorest behind

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Budget 2021 has left Ireland’s poorest people behind as Government decided not to increase core social welfare rates. Despite allocating more resources than any previous Budget in the history of the State, the distribution of those resources was such that the gap between the poor and the better off will widen in 2021 and inequality will increase. This is a totally unacceptable outcome.

Child Poverty in the EU - greater focus needed

Monday, 5 October 2020

The European Court of Auditors has just published a special report on child poverty in the EU entitled 'Combating child poverty – Better targeting of Commission support required'. The report finds that child poverty remains a serious issue in the EU, and unfortunately, child poverty is likely to become even more prevalent in the aftermath of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The report recommends that the European Commission target and monitor investment in tackling child poverty, particularly in the period of the new budget period 2021-2027.

Social Welfare rates must increase in Budget 2021

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Social welfare rates must be increased in Budget 2021. The gap between those reliant on social welfare and those on average weekly earnings is growing. Average earnings to the end of Q2 2020 increased by 6 per cent, whereas core social welfare rates have seen no increase since Budget 2019. Social welfare rates must be increased in Budget 2021, in line with a movement towards 27.5 per cent of average weekly earnings in order to address this growing problem. If not, then this Government will leave those who are most vulnerable behind.

Living Wage €12.30 per hour

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

The Living Wage Technical Group has today announced that the Living Wage remains unchanged from 2020, at €12.30 per hour. The Technical Group, of which Social Justice Ireland is a member, has today published its Living Wage Annual Paper, Technical Document and Expenditure and Income Tables. Social Justice Ireland urges Government to begin the process of increasing the National Minimum Wage, which is €10.10 per hour, towards the Living Wage in Budget 2021.