Income Distribution

Three quarters of a million in poverty in Ireland

Three quarters of a million people are living in poverty in Ireland. Of these 230,000 are children. Poverty in rural Ireland is 4.5 percentage points higher than in urban Ireland.

Election 2016 - Poverty and Deprivation

Number of people in deprivation up more than 200,000 since Government took office

There are 1.3 million people experiencing deprivation in Ireland, an increase of 215,000 since this Government came to office in 2011. The numbers experiencing deprivation have almost doubled since the crash of 2008.

Social Progress In Ireland

'Social Progress in Ireland' - the paper presented by Prof. Charles Clark and Dr.

Budget widens rich-poor gap by €506 a year

Budget 2016 was the fifth regressive Budget in a row. While it was not as regressive as in previous years and contained some gain for everyone, there was much more for the better off and far less for poor and vulnerable people.  While single unemployed people will gain €95 a year, single people earning €75,000 will gain almost ten times as much i.e. €902.  In the case of couples, the unemployed will gain €157 a year while a couple with two earners on €125,000 a year will gain nine times as much i.e. an extra €1,408 a year.

Former US Secretary of Labor calls for a Basic Income system

US Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration, Robert B.

Over 25 countries call for 'A safety net for life' during International Basic Income Week 14-20 September

Reflecting the growing demand for unconditional basic income worldwide, this year's International Basic Income Week looks to having the largest participation ever in its 8-year history. People in 27 countries across four continents will be holding events and raising the profile of unconditional basic income across the globe between 14-20 September this year.  Events in Ireland are being coordinated by Basic Income Ireland.

National Social Monitor shows need for much greater investment in areas such as ageing, social housing and sustainability

We are focussing far too much on the performance of the economy and not nearly enough on issues such as aging, social housing and sustainability, that have major implications for the wellbeing of individuals and society as a whole according to the National Social Monitor 2015 published by Social Justice Ireland.  It goes on to argue that a balance is required between the various aspects of life if the wellbeing of this and future generations is to be secured.

National Social Monitor 2015

The National Social Monitor 2015 outlines the present situation on a range of policy issues that impact on people’s well-being.  Social Justice Ireland presents the National Social Monitor

Living Wage 2015

The Living Wage technical paper for 2015 has just been published.  The 2015 Living Wage rate is €11.50 per hour. This is the average gross salary required by full-time employed adult (without dependents) to afford a socially acceptable minimum standard of living across Ireland.