Government must reverse austerity in run-up to 1916 celebrations

This week the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights published its concluding observations on Ireland, finding the Government is failing to deliver on human rights obligations.

Among its 45 recommendations, the Committee called on the Government to restore public services and social benefits to pre-crisis levels; build more social housing units, increase rent supplement levels and ensure it is effectively responding to those facing homelessness; and eliminate the “discriminatory impact on access to social security benefits” for vulnerable groups, including Roma families and those living in direct provision.

The UN committee also called on the Government to expand affordable public childcare and ensure that all children can access education without discrimination.