Group points to growing economic divide in Ireland

Ireland is seeing a growth in economic inequality - with the gap widening between those who have jobs and those who don't, according to TASC.

The think-tank for social change will present a number of proposals to Government today at its annual conference, which will aim to address the economic disadvantages faced by a growing number of people.

The group said that there is a shortage of enough good jobs in Ireland which means many people cannot afford a decent standard of living.

"If you have a good job, you have a full-time job with a good level of pay, it allows you to have all of the things that many people take for granted in terms of the house, the car, a certain lifestyle and ability to bring up your family in dignity," said Dr Nat O'Connor, director of TASC.

"But increasingly on the other side of things, we have people who are in part-time work, or in low-paid jobs, even if they're working full-time, they're not getting a living wage, they're not able to meet the cost of living."