One million people in Ireland are either poor or deprived, despite a booming economy, according to Social Justice Ireland. Among them are 250,000 children and 100,000 “working poor”.

Tax changes in the budget are “most unfair” with those on higher incomes benefiting the most, according to Social Justice Ireland.

The Government’s new housing strategy, released today, will “not be on the scale required” to fix the housing market crisis, according to Séan Healy, director of Social Justice Ireland.

A minister for rural affairs is needed — but only if they are willing to face up to responsibilities far beyond the next election, writes Michael Clifford

A woman refused a three-storey council house overlooking Cork harbour because she and her children would get sea-sick peering out the window.

Rural Ireland has higher poverty rates, fewer jobs, lower incomes, and access to fewer public services than urban areas, according to the latest economic review by Social Justice Ireland (SJI).

A common EU corporation tax rate of 17.5% should be the goal of the next government, an independent think-tank has urged.

IRELAND’S economy grew by more than 6% in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2014 and the likelihood is that the growth for the year as a whole will be close to that figure.

The owner of Coilóg Equestrian Centre in Co Kildare is giving serious consideration to initiating legal proceedings against ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) after he was left without a Premier Series Grand Prix this year.

Both the Irish Heart Foundation and Social Justice Ireland are seeking the introduction of ‘no fry zones’ within one kilometre of schools in order to tackle the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.

Ireland’s long-term unemployment crisis and the rise of precarious employment is damaging the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, Social Justice Ireland (SJI) has claimed.

Equestrian: It came as no surprise on Tuesday that Tony Hurley was returned as chairman of ShowjumpingIreland for a third and final year.

ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) has negotiated insurance cover that will see no increase in its premium, according to chairman Tony Hurley.

ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) chairman Tony Hurley has confirmed Allianz Insurance will again support the Make-A-Wish Challenge in 2015, following its success in Cavan last weekend.

HOUSING waiting lists have increased massively over the past few years as a result of the housing crisis and a change in the State’s approach to providing local authority housing.

Social Justice Ireland (SJI) has described the budget as one of missed opportunities which will cause the income gap to widen between rich and poor.

Showjumping Ireland (SJI) chairman Tony Hurley yesterday said the organisation is to correct a situation whereby imported horses are automatically given 70 points when first registered here, regardless of their actual performance history.

Long-term planning is needed to ensure that Ireland takes care of its ageing population, according to Social Justice Ireland.

Social Justice Ireland has warned the Government that it needs to plan for both the short and the long term if it is to resolve some of the issues affecting the country’s most vulnerable people.

A new report has revealed that almost one in five Irish children is living below the poverty line.

The Government could spend money on social housing and invest in rural broadband by overhauling the corporate tax regime and extending the Universal Social Charge levy of 3% to all income over €100,000, Social Justice Ireland said yesterday.

Shane Sweetnam may have offloaded his top ride last year, but that does not mean he is ready to relinquish his position as a stalwart of the Irish team.

Jumps used during last year’s London Olympics will grace the Green Glens arena next week for the annual Millstreet Horse Show.

The Government has sufficient scope in its finances to make no further expenditure cuts in 2014, while also raising tax credits and social welfare payments by €5 per week, according to a leading advocacy group.

Austin O’Connor believes the Irish team selected for the eventing nations cup at the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen next week is not without potential.

Showjumping Ireland (SJI) chairman Tony Hurley is optimistic the work of its insurance taskforce will pay dividends and he is “hopeful” of a substantial reduction in the premium for next year.

One man’s truth is another’s delusion.

It has come as a surprise, even to Showjumping Ireland, that membership and registration figures for January are up, albeit marginally, on the same time last year.

Corkman Tony Hurley was last night elected chairman of ShowjumpingIreland at the first meeting of the new executive.

Shane Sweetnam scored a third place in yesterday’s feature class on day two of the $4m FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, having notched up back-to-back victories on Wednesday.

Calls have been made for government action as it emerged Ireland has the fourth highest unemployment rate in Europe.

Insurance is the biggest issue facing ShowjumpingIreland, according to Munster Region chairman Tony Hurley, after a quadrupling of the association’s premium to €625,000 for 2013.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has sought clarity from the Competition Authority regarding a new Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) ruling that will ban riders, horses and judges for six months if they participate in what the FEI terms “unsanctioned events”.

Show jumping followers can expect a 25% rise in membership and horse registration fees next year as a result of the quadrupling of ShowjumpingIreland’s insurance premium.

ShowjumpingIreland (SJI) chairman Christy Murphy sees nothing wrong in the organisation backing Robert Splaine to remain as Ireland team manager, while affirming that others should be allowed apply for the post.

Showjumping Ireland is to investigate the serious injury of Deirdre Bourns, mother of international showjumper Andrew Bourns, after she was struck by a horse at Cavan Equestrian Centre Indoor Championships on Wednesday.

Next month’s Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk is gearing up to be one of the best as the Cork venue again attracts the cream of international and national riders.

A recent assertion by Anne Waistell of the Irish Show Jumping Centres Group that entries in spring leagues have fallen dramatically has been affirmed by one league organiser.

Denis Lynch has Lantinus and All Inclusive to choose from in the first round of tomorrow’s Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar, though yesterday he had yet to decide which horse to use.

The number of households at risk of poverty has risen to almost 16%, it emerged today.

MORE than anything, show jumper Jessica Kürten saw her first major grand prix win in over a year last Sunday as one of portent.

HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has had to defer the introduction of its anti-doping and medication regime, which was due to come into force on January 1.

SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND (SJI) intends to ratify the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) anti-doping and medication programme, despite postponing a meeting of its executive that was due to discuss the final draft yesterday.