Poverty in Ireland should be an election issue, conference told

POOR public services and low wages are behind Ireland having the highest proportion of poor people in the EU, despite being the second wealthiest country with one of the lowest numbers out of work.

More than one-in-three people in the country are suffering poverty.

There has been a slight improvement in recent years, but too many people are suffering from governments refusing to invest in public services, a conference tackling poverty heard.

Fintan Farrell, director of the European Anti Poverty Network based in Brussels, said it should be an issue in the election.

“Voters need to ask how the next government will reduce the numbers who are experiencing poverty — both those who are working and those who are not.”

Even after social transfers — such as children’s allowances, pensions and unemployment benefits — 21% were still living on less than 60% of the average disposable income compared with the EU average of 16%

In the Nordic countries and the Czech Republic social transfers reduced by more than a half those at risk of poverty.

Ireland spent €4,500 per person on social protection in 2003 compared to an EU average of €6,000 when the figures are evened out to take into account the cost of living. Only Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia spend less in this area.

Mr Farrell said too many people are earning just the minimum wage, which in some cases has become the maximum while he believes others are not being paid even the legal minimum.