ESRI report shows government has failed those on low incomes

“Inequality and poverty have increased significantly under this coalition government,” the Labour spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Willie Penrose has said following the release of an ESRI report which shows that relative poverty has more than doubled since 1994.

“Ironically the ESRI figures were released yesterday, on the very day that Minister Coghlan insisted her Savage 16 social welfare cuts will be brought in before Christmas. The Bill implementing many of the cutbacks is being pushed through the Dail this week. It is my view that the report indicates the folly of pursuing cutbacks.

“There can be no doubt from looking at the ESRI figures that this Government has failed to ensure that those on lowest income levels benefited from the economic boom over the last number of years

“The report summary states ‘The measures of the ‘income gap’ between the incomes of the poor and the poverty line all increased consistently between 1994 and 2001 irrespective of the measures used suggesting that the gap between the poor and non-poor has increased steadily and substantially over time.’”

“To prevent those on social welfare from falling further into relative poverty – there needs to be a systematic programme implemented where there are increases in the social welfare payments above inflation to bring people up to at least the financial footing they were at in 1994.

“We can also help bridge the gap between the rich and poor by looking to education and training. Instead, the Government has closed off options for vulnerable people by slashing the number of places on the Community Employment Scheme. What is necessary now is a complete reversal of the Savage 16 and an imaginative approach to educational, training and employment opportunities.”