Latest news with #Pobal
The Journal
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Deprived areas have seen decline in unemployment while health gap has widened, study finds
DEPRIVED AREAS IN Ireland have seen the level of unemployment drop significantly in recent years, according to a study from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which was commissioned by Pobal. Examining Census 2016 and 2022 data, the ESRI studied a number of factors that impede social inclusion: unemployment, economic inactivity, low educational attainment, lone parenthood, being a carer, ethnic minority status, disability status and poor health. Most of those impediments became less severe during the period studied, the ESRI said this morning, particularly unemployment. The decline in unemployment was found to be most pronounced in 'independent urban towns', meaning towns which tend to be further from cities and more likely to lack economic opportunities. Advertisement The study found that, for the most part, the advantage gap between affluent and more deprived areas narrowed. It's not all good news though. 'Despite Ireland's strong economic performance, substantial inequalities remain, particularly for people with disabilities and lone parents,' the ESRI said. The study also revealed 'clear evidence' of a widening health gap between the most and least disadvantaged communities. This was 'perhaps not surprising given the COVID-19 pandemic,' the ESRI said. The report stated that the decline in health outcomes raises 'important considerations' for healthcare resourcing and allocation across the country in the coming years. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
BreakingNews.ie
27-05-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Health inequalities worsening despite improvements in economic measures, report finds
A new report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has revealed 'clear evidence' of a widening health gap between the most and least disadvantaged communities. The ESRI study, commissioned by Pobal, examines socioeconomic conditions across communities in Ireland. Advertisement Using Census data, the study examines how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed over time and if disadvantaged communities are particularly adversely affected. The report highlights both progress and challenges in Ireland's efforts to promote social inclusion, showing a mixed picture of improving economic conditions alongside worsening health inequalities. Findings from the new research report, published on Tuesday, were collated using the Pobal HP Deprivation Index and two waves of Census data from 2016 and 2022. It found that between 2016 and 2022, some of the potential barriers examined have decreased, while others became more prevalent in certain communities. Advertisement Rates of unemployment and low educational attainment have declined, with the most significant falls occurring in more deprived areas, narrowing the disadvantage gap between affluent and deprived areas. However, the study found a rise in poor health, with increases most pronounced in the most deprived areas, which has exacerbated pre-existing health inequalities. It said that such trends are likely influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and reflect worsening health outcomes for people living in disadvantaged communities. The report stated that it raises 'important considerations' for healthcare resourcing and allocation across the country in the coming years. Advertisement It also found that some factors are more common in urban or rural areas, further reinforcing the value of examining these barriers spatially. Decline in unemployment was found to be most pronounced in 'independent urban towns', meaning towns which tend to be further from cities and more likely to lack economic opportunities. It also found that the prevalence of ethnic minority populations at the area-level increased across most area types, with largest increases in the more urban areas. According to Pobal, a social inclusion agency working on behalf of Government, barriers to social inclusion are multifaceted and can overlap. Advertisement The ESRI examined at an area-level a range of factors that can act as potential barriers to social inclusion, including unemployment, economic inactivity, low educational attainment, lone parenthood, being a carer, ethnic minority status, having a disability and poor health. It found that while the presence of these characteristics do not always limit individuals' participation in society, they can be associated with a greater risk of social exclusion or marginalisation, particularly when co-occurring. Author of the report, Dr Anne Devlin, said: 'The findings of this report highlight differences in how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed between 2016 and 2022 and how they manifest spatially across Ireland. 'Our findings around a reduced prevalence of economic barriers, such as unemployment, are welcome. Advertisement 'However, questions remain about the quality of the employment. Despite these economic improvements, their resilience in the face of current and future challenges is uncertain.' Ireland Migrants more likely to be in work than Irish-born... Read More Anna Shakespeare, chief executive of Pobal, who commissioned this research, said: 'Understanding the prevalence and patterns of potential barriers to social inclusion is crucial for enabling evidence-based policymaking. 'The publication of this research is particularly timely in the context of the update to Ireland's national public health strategy, 'Healthy Ireland', as well as the re-development of the cross-Government Roadmap to Social Inclusion. 'As an agency working to promote social inclusion and community development, we are committed to bringing forward robust and reliable research which can support Government policy development at this critical juncture.'
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
ESRI: Large falls in unemployment rate in deprived areas
The most significant falls in unemployment rates in recent years occurred in more deprived areas, according to new research. The study by the Economic and Social Research Institute, commissioned by Pobal, has found the disadvantage gap narrowed between affluent and deprived areas. Using Census data from 2016 and 2022, the ESRI looked at socioeconomic conditions across communities and how potential barriers to social inclusion had changed over time. While researchers found declines in the prevalence of unemployment, lone parenthood and low educational attainment at the area level, they discovered increases in poor health and disability. Declines in unemployment were most pronounced in rural areas and in "independent urban towns", which are towns of between 1,500 and 49,999 people, where less than 20% of the employed population are employed in cities. In 2016, unemployment ranged from 5% in rural areas with high urban influence, to almost 11% in independent urban towns. By 2022, unemployment had fallen to 3% and 6% respectively. Report authors have described the fall in unemployment in independent urban towns as "particularly positive", considering the economic barriers to social inclusion faced by individuals residing in these areas. However, considering rising costs of living and potential job quality concerns, lower unemployment rates do not necessarily translate into better living standards, according to the report. It also highlights stark differences for lone parent households depending on the area where they are based. For example, the share of lone parent households is substantially larger in more deprived areas and also in more urban areas. Having completed previous research on lone parents and the deprivation they face, the ESRI has reiterated a need for "place-based consideration of policy" to reduce potential barriers to inclusion - in this instance childcare, early years education and employability support for lone parents, most likely to be women. Turning to health, the research looked at how it has changed between 2016 and 2022 by deprivation category. Worryingly, when it comes to "poor health", there were increases across the board. The largest changes were evident in the most deprived categories. A combination of poor health and disability was more likely in deprived areas. From 2016 to 2022, the difference in poor health between the most affluent small areas and the most deprived small areas increased. While this may have been due to long-term COVID-19 outcomes, previous research has shown that the most deprived areas experienced greater health impacts, the report suggests that it may have been the result of other health related factors which were impacted by the pandemic. Those in deprived areas with greater health needs pre-pandemic may have suffered disproportionately from the healthcare system "pivoting" from standard care to emergency pandemic protocols, which meant reduced clinics, operations and screenings The longer-term impact of the pandemic also remains uncertain when it comes to the educational outcomes of disadvantaged youth and those with special educational needs. Despite this, education levels have improved consistently over the last two decades and continue to do so. The proportion of the population with low levels of education has fallen across all levels of urbanisation between 2016 and 2022. As noted in a recent ESRI study and repeated in the latest research, the migrant population have higher educational attainment and a higher employment rate than the Irish-born population. The latest report also notes that areas with higher shares of ethnic minorities had higher levels of unemployment, lower economic inactivity and higher educational attainment.
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Health inequalities worsening despite improvements in economic measures
The ESRI study, commissioned by Pobal, examines socioeconomic conditions across communities in Ireland. Using Census data, the study examines how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed over time and if disadvantaged communities are particularly adversely affected. The report highlights both progress and challenges in Ireland's efforts to promote social inclusion, showing a mixed picture of improving economic conditions alongside worsening health inequalities. Findings from the new research report, published on Tuesday, were collated using the Pobal HP Deprivation Index and two waves of Census data from 2016 and 2022. It found that between 2016 and 2022, some of the potential barriers examined have decreased, while others became more prevalent in certain communities. Rates of unemployment and low educational attainment have declined, with the most significant falls occurring in more deprived areas, narrowing the disadvantage gap between affluent and deprived areas. However, the study found a rise in poor health, with increases most pronounced in the most deprived areas, which has exacerbated pre-existing health inequalities. It said that such trends are likely influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and reflect worsening health outcomes for people living in disadvantaged communities. The report stated that it raises 'important considerations' for healthcare resourcing and allocation across the country in the coming years. It also found that some factors are more common in urban or rural areas, further reinforcing the value of examining these barriers spatially. Decline in unemployment was found to be most pronounced in 'independent urban towns', meaning towns which tend to be further from cities and more likely to lack economic opportunities. It also found that the prevalence of ethnic minority populations at the area-level increased across most area types, with largest increases in the more urban areas. According to Pobal, a social inclusion agency working on behalf of Government, barriers to social inclusion are multifaceted and can overlap. The ESRI examined at an area-level a range of factors that can act as potential barriers to social inclusion, including unemployment, economic inactivity, low educational attainment, lone parenthood, being a carer, ethnic minority status, having a disability and poor health. It found that while the presence of these characteristics do not always limit individuals' participation in society, they can be associated with a greater risk of social exclusion or marginalisation, particularly when co-occurring. Author of the report, Dr Anne Devlin, said: 'The findings of this report highlight differences in how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed between 2016 and 2022 and how they manifest spatially across Ireland. 'Our findings around a reduced prevalence of economic barriers, such as unemployment, are welcome. 'However, questions remain about the quality of the employment. Despite these economic improvements, their resilience in the face of current and future challenges is uncertain.' Anna Shakespeare, chief executive of Pobal, who commissioned this research, said: 'Understanding the prevalence and patterns of potential barriers to social inclusion is crucial for enabling evidence-based policymaking. 'The publication of this research is particularly timely in the context of the update to Ireland's national public health strategy, 'Healthy Ireland', as well as the re-development of the cross-Government Roadmap to Social Inclusion. 'As an agency working to promote social inclusion and community development, we are committed to bringing forward robust and reliable research which can support Government policy development at this critical juncture.'
ITV News
26-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Health inequalities worsening despite improvements in economic measures
A new report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has revealed 'clear evidence' of a widening health gap between the most and least disadvantaged communities. The ESRI study, commissioned by Pobal, examines socioeconomic conditions across communities in Ireland. Using Census data, the study examines how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed over time and if disadvantaged communities are particularly adversely affected. The report highlights both progress and challenges in Ireland's efforts to promote social inclusion, showing a mixed picture of improving economic conditions alongside worsening health inequalities. Findings from the new research report, published on Tuesday, were collated using the Pobal HP Deprivation Index and two waves of Census data from 2016 and 2022. It found that between 2016 and 2022, some of the potential barriers examined have decreased, while others became more prevalent in certain communities. Rates of unemployment and low educational attainment have declined, with the most significant falls occurring in more deprived areas, narrowing the disadvantage gap between affluent and deprived areas. However, the study found a rise in poor health, with increases most pronounced in the most deprived areas, which has exacerbated pre-existing health inequalities. It said that such trends are likely influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and reflect worsening health outcomes for people living in disadvantaged communities. The report stated that it raises 'important considerations' for healthcare resourcing and allocation across the country in the coming years. It also found that some factors are more common in urban or rural areas, further reinforcing the value of examining these barriers spatially. Decline in unemployment was found to be most pronounced in 'independent urban towns', meaning towns which tend to be further from cities and more likely to lack economic opportunities. It also found that the prevalence of ethnic minority populations at the area-level increased across most area types, with largest increases in the more urban areas. According to Pobal, a social inclusion agency working on behalf of Government, barriers to social inclusion are multifaceted and can overlap. The ESRI examined at an area-level a range of factors that can act as potential barriers to social inclusion, including unemployment, economic inactivity, low educational attainment, lone parenthood, being a carer, ethnic minority status, having a disability and poor health. It found that while the presence of these characteristics do not always limit individuals' participation in society, they can be associated with a greater risk of social exclusion or marginalisation, particularly when co-occurring. Author of the report, Dr Anne Devlin, said: 'The findings of this report highlight differences in how potential barriers to social inclusion have changed between 2016 and 2022 and how they manifest spatially across Ireland. 'Our findings around a reduced prevalence of economic barriers, such as unemployment, are welcome. 'However, questions remain about the quality of the employment. Despite these economic improvements, their resilience in the face of current and future challenges is uncertain.' Anna Shakespeare, chief executive of Pobal, who commissioned this research, said: 'Understanding the prevalence and patterns of potential barriers to social inclusion is crucial for enabling evidence-based policymaking. 'The publication of this research is particularly timely in the context of the update to Ireland's national public health strategy, 'Healthy Ireland', as well as the re-development of the cross-Government Roadmap to Social Inclusion. 'As an agency working to promote social inclusion and community development, we are committed to bringing forward robust and reliable research which can support Government policy development at this critical juncture.'
