Commission criticises Irish record on poverty

IRELAND’S record on poverty, childcare and training for the low-skilled was sharply criticised by the European Commission.

While Ireland continues to be economically the healthiest state in the EU, a series of reports released in Brussels shows a greater percentage of people are at risk of poverty in Ireland than in any of the other 24 EU states.

The gender pay gap in Ireland was also criticised. Irish women are among the most discriminated against in Europe, being paid an average of 17% less for the same work than their male colleagues.

Despite promises to tackle the childcare situation by doubling the number of places to 56,000 by 2006, there is little indication this is happening.

Labour MEP Proinsias de Rossa accused the Government of doing nothing to improve the situation of the less well off in society. “They are making no serious attempt to address these issues,” he said.

The reports from the Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner, Vladimir Spidla, says the Government is failing to implement its own policies.