Pleas made to increase social welfare in budget

Fresh calls were made today for an increase in social welfare in the upcoming budget despite less people being at risk of poverty.

New CSO figures showed the overall “at risk of poverty” rate dropped from 18.5% of the population in 2005 to 17% in 2006.

The EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions revealed a significant decrease in the rate for the elderly – down from 20.1% to 13.6% – while the number of children at risk also dropped slightly.

However, the survey found no significant change in the rate of consistent poverty, which stands at just under 7%.

Despite average household income being up by 7.8% to €836.44 per week, the figures showed 9% of the population experienced debt problems arising from ordinary living expenses.

Welfare group CORI Justice claims the figures vindicate its campaign to benchmark the lowest social welfare rates at 30% of gross average industrial earnings (GAIE) for a single person.

“Over recent years there has been major progress on benchmarking social welfare payments,” said Fr Sean Healy, Director of CORI Justice.

“In Budget 2007 the lowest social welfare rate was benchmarked at 30% of GAIE. We were confident that its implementation would lead to further reductions in poverty rates complementing those already achieved.

“But there is no room for complacency as Ireland still has the third highest level of poverty in the EU.”

Fr Healy said without social welfare payments 40.3% of the population would be at risk of being in need.

Those most at risk include homes where the head of household was unemployed (60.8%), a student (51.6%) or ill or disabled (44.4%).

Lone-parent households (32.5%) risk consistent poverty.

Minister of State with Responsibility for Older People, Maire Hoctor, said an increase in the state pension to almost 210 euro was part of the Government’s commitment to tackle poverty and social exclusion, especially for older people.

She said the vision for older people in the future was to enable people to maintain their health and wellbeing and to live full and active lives in an independent way in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

“The Government aims to build on the significant progress that has been made in reducing poverty over the past 10 years and to deliver real improvements in living standards and wellbeing for the most vulnerable in our society,” added Ms Hoctor.