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Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Nearly one in five experienced income poverty between 2015 and 2023, study shows
A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) also found that almost one-fifth (18pc) experienced income poverty in at least one year between 2015 and 2023. While the percentage of those at risk of poverty has gradually declined, lone parent families, single people and older adults living alone experienced a post-Covid spike. The rate of people at risk of poverty declined from 16pc in 2016 to 11pc in 2023. However, 18pc of individuals experienced income poverty in at least one year during that time period. The at-risk-of-poverty rate is the percentage of people with a household income below 60pc of the national median income. Lone parent families, large families and households with a working-age adult with a disability are at the most risk of poverty and deprivation, the new research shows. Basic deprivation implies that individuals are living in households that cannot afford adequate food, clothing, heating, or an occasional meal or drink out with family and friends. An average of 33pc of children in lone-parent families are being persistently deprived, with 21pc of them found to be at risk of poverty between 2016 and 2023. 'The longer people stay in poverty, the harder it is for them to escape' Material deprivation, which is the inability to afford essential goods and services, increased from 14pc in 2021 to 17pc in 2023. Inflation and the economic cycle were cited as two of the main reasons for this. Between 2016 and 2023, 22pc of people experienced deprivation at least once in two consecutive years, and almost half of these were in persistent deprivation. Households in the northern and western regions, people living with low-educated or unemployed household heads, and workless households were significantly more likely to experience transient and persistent poverty and deprivation. The report said that timely adjustments to social welfare payments, including pensions, 'are critical to protect vulnerable groups from inflation and economic disruptions'. Bertrand Maitre, co-author of the report, said: 'Research shows that the longer people stay in poverty, the harder it is for them to escape. This highlights the urgent need to tackle persistent poverty and to design policies that protect the most vulnerable groups from falling into long-term poverty.' The study was published in partnership with the Department of Social Protection.
ITV News
8 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
A fifth of people deemed at risk of poverty in eight-year period, says study
Almost a fifth of people were deemed at risk of poverty at least once between 2015 and 2023, according to a study. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published research examining the complexities of income poverty and deprivation and how they intertwine. On average, 22% of the population experienced deprivation at least once in two consecutive years from 2016 to 2023: almost half of these were in persistent deprivation, slightly less than a third were exiting deprivation and about a quarter were entering deprivation. The study noted that there was a post-pandemic spike observed amongst lone-parent families, 30 to 65-year-old single people, adults above 65, and especially amongst single people over 65. It said the stronger effect for the older population could be explained by the fact that the State pension was frozen in cash terms in 2020 and 2021. The ESRI report, published in partnership with the Department of Social Protection, used longitudinal data from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) – the study explores the dynamics of poverty. It found that the annual at-risk-of-poverty (AROP) rate declined from 16% in 2016 to 11% in 2023, while the persistent AROP rate declined from 10% in 2015-2016 to 7% in 2022-2023. The latter shows the share of the population who were AROP two years in a row. Material deprivation increased in the recent period from 14% in 2021 to 17% in 2023. Over the period 2016 to 2023, an average of 5% of people were both AROP and deprived. Lone parent families, large families, and households with a working-age adult with a disability faced the highest risks of persistent AROP and deprivation, it said. Children in lone parent families, in particular, are most at risk, with an average 33% of them being persistently deprived, and 21% being persistently AROP, between 2016 and 2023. The report said that implementing 'targeted' policy measures to support lone parents, large families, and households with a person with disabilities is essential to help those at high risk of poverty. It said timely adjustments to social welfare payments, including pensions, would be 'critical' to protect vulnerable groups from inflation. Co-author Anousheh Alamir said the report highlighted 'the complex nature of poverty' and how different groups face different risks over various time periods. 'Over two year stretches, lone parent families and households with a disabled adult are found to be the most at risk of income poverty and/or material deprivation for one year only. 'And while they are also the most likely to be materially deprived two years in a row (i.e persistently), large families are the most at risk of income poverty during that time. 'Thus, different groups are vulnerable to different forms and durations of poverty, an insight that should be key for effective policy.'
RTÉ News
8 hours ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Lone parent families at 'highest risk of poverty'
Lone parent families, large families, and households with a working-age disabled adult face the highest risks of persistent at-risk-of-poverty and deprivation according to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). New research published in partnership with the Department of Social Protection examined persistent income poverty and material deprivation between 2015 and 2023. Material deprivation is the enforced inability to afford two or more essential goods and services considered the norm for a basic standard of living. Material deprivation fluctuated with the economic cycle and inflation, increasing in the recent period from 14% in 2021 to 17% in 2023 according to the study. The study found 22% of people experienced deprivation at least once in two consecutive years between 2016 and 2023 and almost half of these were in persistent deprivation. People who are "at risk of poverty" relates to those who have have a household income below 60% of the national median income. Approximately 21% of children in lone parent families were persistently at-risk-of-poverty, between 2016 and 2023 and an average 33% of them were persistently deprived. On average, 5% of Irish people, were both at risk of poverty and deprived between 2016 to 2023 according to the report. It says the annual at-risk-of-poverty rate declined from 16% in 2016 to 11% in 2023. While the persistent at-risk-of-poverty rate declined from 10% in 2015-2016 to 7% in 2022-2023, the latter shows the share of the population who were at risk of poverty for two years in a row, according to the ESRI. Women were more likely than men to experience transient (i.e. for one year) and persistent material deprivation. Households in the northern and western regions, people living with low-educated or unemployed household heads, and workless households were significantly more likely to experience transient and persistent poverty and deprivation. The ESRI has suggested the implementation of targeted policy measures to support lone parents, large families, and households with a person with disabilities is essential to address their high risk of poverty. It added that "timely adjustments" to social welfare payments, including pensions, "are critical" to protect vulnerable groups from inflation and economic disruptions.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Government slammed for 'vague' €275.4 billion National Development Plan
The government's announcement of the €275.4 billion National Development Plan (NDP) has been slammed as ministers have been accused of keeping it vague due to an expected lacklustre budget. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Independent TD Seán Canney announced funding proposals for the latest NDP on Tuesday. It's the government's long-term plan for large-scale infrastructure projects, covering the period up to 2035. The plan is reworked and reviewed every few years. Despite this being the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State, the government has been slammed for the 'unusual' decision to provide few details on the projects. This could be down to an expected disappointing upcoming budget, as politicians may want to save the details of exciting projects until then. However, the Taoiseach said this lack of detail was done purposely to give ministers a chance to draw up a list of projects, with announcements coming 'closer to the budget'. Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Dr Alan Barrett said it's difficult for anyone to sink their teeth into this report as it's so vague. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne on Tuesday, he said: 'We have been used to over the years getting the details of the projects, why it's not happening on this occasion we are not entirely sure. 'Today's document reminds me of the annual estimates process, where departments are being given an indication of what their allocation is going to be. "The idea that now we are having a document with a significant amount of money being launched but not getting a clear sense of what the projects are - but perhaps more importantly the extent at which they relate to one another - that is a little concern I would have today.' Despite economic experts and the opposition finding the lack of details in the NDP disappointing, here is what we know so far: Housing From 2026 to 2030, the government plans to invest €35.955 billion in housing, with Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers saying housing is the main priority. The Taoiseach echoed this as he outlined a target of 300,000 new homes in this timeframe, with 12,000 a year being social housing. Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister Jack Chambers announcing details of the revised National Development Plan and the Summer Economic Statement at Government Buildings (Image: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos) This is in line with the current Programme for Government targets. Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne said 'throwing billions of euros at the housing crisis without announcing a radical reset in policy" is not going to work. He added that the NDP 'gives no indication that the government is planning to move away from the measures that have plagued housing provision in the last decade". Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said the plan will not result in "increased delivery of social and affordable homes". Water A total of €12 billion - outside of the housing allocation - has been earmarked for water infrastructure development. The Taoiseach said this investment is critical to 'support new house building industrial development and regional growth'. Health Some €9.25 billion has been allocated to the health service under the NDP, which is almost double the investment of the previous plan in 2021. There is little detail on projects this will be used on, as the new plan outlined seven previous health projects that have been completed under the NDP in the last three years. The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has welcomed this allocation to the sector. However, with little detail on projects, it has called on Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to ringfence the required funding for the implementation of Electronic Health Records and prioritise the rapid expansion of our current hospital capacity. Transport Some €24.33 billion is being invested into transport up to 2030, with €2 million earmarked for 'low-carbon transportation projects'. This includes the MetroLink underground line for Dublin. However, it's not expected that construction will begin until at least 2028. However, €2.2 billion has been slammed as 'not enough' by some, including Labour's transport spokesperson Ciarán Ahern. He said: 'MetroLink is supposed to be the country's flagship public transport project and €2 billion is no small sum, but in the context of the overall cost of the project, it's nowhere near enough. "We're talking about a fraction of what's actually required to see this project through." There is no mention in the NDP of other projects that the money will be used on with respect to other public transport services such as buses or trains. Climate and energy Exchequer funding of €5.6 billion has been allocated to climate and energy, as the Taoiseach said expanding investment here is 'critical to our national security and to realising the enormous potential of AI to future economic development'. The government is increasing its equity shareholdings in ESB to €1.5 billion and EirGrid to €2 billion, which was widely welcomed by both. Education The Department of Education and Youth is receiving €7.55 billion in the new NDP. It will be used to facilitate the construction of school places in primary, post-primary, special classes and special schools between 2026 and 2030. A further €4.55 billion is allocated to higher and further education. Culture, Communication and Sport Some €2.22 billion has been earmarked for this department, however, there isn't yet any information on how the funding will be used. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Post
22-07-2025
- General
- Irish Post
New report shows people in disadvantaged areas have a more negative view of migrants
A NEW report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that public opinion on immigration is more negative in disadvantaged areas. The study is based on a survey of over 1,200 people in 2023 along with data from the 2022 Census. Researchers suggest that fears about pressure on national services and crime are driving sentiment on the issue. Despite public concerns, the ESRI found no direct link between local shortages in healthcare, housing, or education and negative views toward immigration. Using indicators like the number of general practitioners per household and housing affordability, the study concluded that attitudes are influenced more by perception than by local experience. Geography also plays a role. People living in rural areas tend to have more negative attitudes toward immigration than those in urban centres. However, rural communities with higher proportions of migrants expressed similar attitudes to urban areas, pointing to the impact of everyday social contact in shaping views. Places where migrants live evenly among the broader population show more positive attitudes compared to regions where migrants are concentrated in clusters. This reinforces the idea that regular, informal interaction between neighbours, school parents, or community members can foster understanding and social cohesion. Dr. Frances McGinnity, lead author of the report, noted that local communities can be both a barrier and a bridge to integration. 'Communities are spaces where migrants and non-migrants not only encounter each other but can also form lasting social ties,' she said. Her co-author, Keire Murphy, added that socio-economic disadvantage is one of the strongest predictors of negative sentiment, echoing similar findings in other countries. 'The broader social and economic context is important for attitudes towards immigration,' she said. Meanwhile, Irish authorities are dealing with more immediate concerns related to immigration enforcement. Under 'Operation Sonnet,' the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) has returned more than 440 migrants to Northern Ireland and Britain since the beginning of 2024. These include individuals who crossed into Britain via the English Channel and then travelled on to Ireland to make secondary asylum applications or claim additional benefits. In one case, an Afghan national who had already applied for asylum in Britain attempted to register again in Ireland. Another case involved a man claiming to be Afghan, who was later found to have a Pakistani passport on his phone. Officers say they are increasingly aware of attempts to exploit the Common Travel Area between Ireland and Britain, with strong cooperation between Irish and British authorities to address these issues. The ESRI study states that fostering social integration in disadvantaged areas should be a key focus for future policy. Encouraging social contact and addressing underlying socio-economic inequality could be more effective in improving public attitudes than focusing solely on enforcement or deterrence, it says. See More: Asylum Seekers, Dr Frances McGinnity, ESRI, GNIB, Immigation
