Poverty Statistics Unacceptable

19 Jul 2004

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed criticised the failure of the Government’s National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS) following the revelation that Ireland is ranked second in UN poverty index. The index based on economic performance, health and education standards and life expectancy found that 15.3% of Irish people live in poverty. Although much of this index relates to statistics gathered in 1996, the latest poverty figures using the 2001 Living in Ireland survey show a deterioration of the situation, with 18.4% of people being below the 50% poverty line.

‘The fact that the NAPS failed to redress the situation even during the ‘boom years’ is very worrying’, said Mr Eric Conroy, General Secretary INOU. ‘The Government must show its commitment to eradicate poverty by providing generous increases in the social welfare payments in Budget 2005 to ensure that the target of €150 (in 2002 terms) by 2007 is achieved.’

The 2001 Living in Ireland survey shockingly reveals that as many as 250,000 children are living in poverty. It is therefore paramount that in Budget 2005, increases in social welfare must include the promised increases in child benefit payments. Also, it is alarming that the portion of the ‘working poor’ is increasing rapidly, now 18.8% of all households in poverty are headed by a person in labour market. The mantra that a ‘job is the best route out of poverty’ is not often not applicable to those who take up low paid employment as the balance between the loss of welfare payments and wages received can adversely affect the household income.