Concern has emerged that a growing number of residents in Clare are “barely, or not even surviving” as the cost of living continues to rise faster than wages.
It follows the publication of a new report from Social Justice Ireland, which is urging government to significantly increase weekly payments to families on social welfare and introduce a living wage.
The Poverty Focus report for 2023 highlights that one-off payments to families in need are not going far enough to end child poverty.
It found that 15.2 per cent of children were at risk of poverty, which Social Justice Ireland says implies around 190,000, or one in seven children across the country lived in households that were experiencing poverty last year.
One in every eight people in Ireland lives on an income below the poverty line, based on the most recent Census data; this corresponds to almost 670,000 people.
The report also found that when poverty is analysed by age, the 2022 figures show that 19 per cent of those aged above 65, almost 670,000 pensioners, live in relative income poverty.
While about 130,000 workers, or 6% of those who are employed are living at risk of poverty, with figures for the working poor showing little movement over time and reflecting a persistent problem with low earnings.
East Clare-based Clinical Herbalist, Julie-Ann O’Connor says this past year in particular, she’s been encountering people across all income levels who are struggling to keep up with the cost of living, something she believes is disheartening.
Data for the six-year period up to 2022 demonstrates how the headline poverty rate in Ireland has fallen, driven in particular by increased supports to welfare dependent households.
And, Social Justice Ireland says targeted measures that prioritise those households with the least resources and the most needs can yield welcome poverty reductions.
But one Clare mother believes these anti-poverty interventions have been lacking in recent budgetary policy.
Feakle resident Claire Hogan says the Government needs to wake up to the reality facing the average, ordinary family in this country.
You can listen to the full interview below.
