Economic policies affecting people’s rights, says UN committee

The Government is adopting economic policies with no regard for their effect on people’s welfare or rights despite their continuing to increase poverty, according to a UN committee reviewing Ireland’s social rights commitments.

It wants the Government to look at the effect of cuts, especially on health, education, access to justice and an adequate standard of living, and not just consider the economic targets in isolation.

While social welfare spending increased from €16bn to €20bn, the number of recipients increased by 50%, and families were the worst affected with their rights overruled by economic expediency, said the committee.