On 9th July 2012 EAPN Ireland and the Europe 2020 Working Group made a submission to the Troika (European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund) delegation during its quartely review of Ireland’s Programme of financial assistance.
The delegation highlighted currentlyIreland’s commitment as part of the Europe 2020 strategy to reduce poverty is being undermined by decisions that are being made by the Government. The increase in poverty, social exclusion and inequality is not just a result of a rise in unemployment but also to a major extent from choices the Government has made involving changes to social welfare supports and the income of the low-paid. Issues related to the increase in levels of precarious work, reductions in participation at all levels including as a result of cuts to local community supports and cuts to services many of which will have longer term social and economic costs were also raised.
The delegation also highlighted that the Government has choices including developing a more progressive taxation system which includes a focus on taxation on wealth, a more effective implementation of the guidelines to assess the impact of policy on poverty and provide for greater social investment (and not dis-investment) which would not only have a positive social impact but would also be of a major positive economic value. Read full Submission and Press Statement