Working to build a just society where human rights are respected, human dignity is protected, human development is facilitated and the environment is respected and protected.

Austerity is not working

Since 2008 successive Governments have pursued an austerity policy which has included deficit-cutting, lower spending, a reduction in the benefits and public services provided by the State coupled with increases in taxes but not on the corporate sector. This austerity approach is not working.

Social Justice Ireland welcomes ‘Troika’ statement on the need to protect the vulnerable

The ‘troika’ statement that the most vulnerable in society should be protected is very welcome. So too is their statement that the ‘troika’ are committed to helping those who need help.

‘Troika’ told their credibility on the economy and on the vulnerable is in question.

The ‘troika’ has been told there are serious questions concerning their credibility on the economy and the vulnerable. At a meeting in Dublin with the ‘Troika’ (European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission) today, Social Justice Ireland argued that:
(1) Ireland’s medium-term targets on growth and related issues are not credible;
(2) Without major adjustment to the terms of the Agreement with the ‘troika’ there will be little economic growth or employment creation and Ireland’s situation will not improve; and
(3) The Irish Government continues to ignore the ‘troika’ position that the vulnerable must be protected in the decisions Government takes particularly in a budgetary context.

Proposed new healthcare structure could reduce effectiveness and increase costs and bureaucracy

The new healthcare structure proposed by Government could reduce effectiveness and incrases costs and bureaucracy. The Government’s proposal to introduce a new system of seven directorates to replace the HSE will fail to deliver an integrated healthcare system for users of the service at local level. Instead, there are real concerns that the new approach will increase rather than reduce costs and bureaucracy.

IMF states Ireland may target social welfare rates - unjust,, unfair and unnecessary

The IMF's own review of Ireland's situation sets out the goals to be achieved on Government borrowing by 2015. It states that if the current projections are not achieved then "the savings committed will be delivered, if necessary through fallback options in relation to public sector wages and primary social welfare rates". Social Justice Ireland rejects this approach and continues to point out that alternative approaches are available to Government. Reductions in social welfare rates or in the incomes of 'working poor' households are unjust, unfair and unnecessary.

EU leaders' latest plan bad for Ireland and the EU in the short, medium and long term

Proposals seek to address a major issue but insist the cause of the current crisis must be allowed to continue

The latest proposals from the EU Heads of Government (published December 9, 2011) focus on reducing the borrowing of countries so that they will be forced to balance their budgets and pay their way in due course.  This approach fails to recognise the real cause of the current crisis lay in the moral hazard situation that prevails in which banks and bondholders will never lose. Not alone does it not recognise the major cause of the problem but the agreement insists that this cause must be kept in place in the new dispensation.  This is an approach that is doomed to long-term failure no matter what its short-term successes may be.

Statement on changes to Euro issued by Eurozone Heads of Government December 9, 2011 - Full Text

On December 9, 2011 EU leaders agreed on the key changes to be introduced to tighten fiscal discipline in the Eurozone and address the bloc's debt problems. These changes propose an intergovernmental agreement outside the EU legal framework.

Budget developed with microscope when telescope was required!

Budget 2012 was developed with a microscope when a telescope was required. While it paid great attention to a wide range of issues it has insufficient focus on the longer term or the wider issues that urgently require attention.

A different approach to tackling debt crisis - Karl Whelan article in Business and Finance

This article was written by Professor Karl Whelan of UCD and published in Business and Finance November 2011. The article may be accessed at Business and Finance site here.

Debates about burning bondholders who have already been repaid misses the point. It is all about promissory notes, writes Karl Whelan.

Sean McDonagh provides his latest reflection from Durban at the End of the First Week at the UN Conference on Climate Change

This is the third in a series of reports on the UN Climate Change conference curreently taking place in Durban prepared by Sean McDonagh SSC. Social Justice Ireland is very grateful to Sean for providing these updates. The previous two may be accessed at the end of this report.

Rise in numbers poor a major Budget challenge for Government

The increase in the proportion of Ireland’s population at risk of poverty, (from 14.1% to 15.8% in one year) clearly identifies a major challenge for Government as it finalises its Budget for 2012. Budget 2012 must give priority to protecting Ireland’s poorest and most vulnerable people according to Social Justice Ireland. 

Government's latest response to job creation challenge: Give 5,000 small firms €2,000 a year for ten years

Minister Richard Bruton has announced the launch of the Government’s multi-annual Action Plan for Jobs. This has been announced on several previous occasions but this time it has a little more information. Government’s target is to create 100,000 extra jobs by 2015 and to have two million people ‘back at work’ by 2020. Towards reaching this target it proposes to make €2,000 a year available to 5,000 businesses for a decade.

Ireland's Budget as revealed to the German Parliament - Full Text

The full document containing details of Ireland's Budget for 2012 which were leaked by the Gernamn Parliament may now be read here.  These documents were provided by the Irish Government to the EU Commission on a confidential basis. Of particular interest is the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies contained in this document.

Key reasons Child Benefit should be neither reduced nor taxed in Budget 2012

There is no justification for reducing Child Benefit. Below Social Justice Ireland outlines why Child Benefit should neither be reduced nor taxed in Budget 2012.

218,000 children at risk of poverty – up 35,000 in two years

The number of children at risk of poverty rose by more than 35,000 in two years between 2007 and 2009, the most recent year for which statistics are available. The income of a household of four on social welfare is currently €80 a week below the poverty line. However, it is crucial to realise that child poverty cannot be addressed in isolation; it needs to be considered within the wider issue of household poverty.

EU Autumn Economic Forecast poses serious questions for Ireland and Budget 2012

The EU Autumn Economic Forecast makes stark reading for Ireland and poses serious questions about Government’s reliance on exports as the basis of Ireland’s recovery.  It also calls into doubt the basis on which Budget 2012 is being developed.

Social Justice Ireland meets with Oireachtas Committee on Finance

Social Justice Ireland believes a fairer future is possible and deliverable. It is crucial however that Government’s decisions and the terms of the bailout agreement with the IMF/ECB/EC should be focused on delivering such an outcome. These were key fundamentals for Budget 2012 presented to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform by Social Justice Ireland on November 2, 2011.

Outlook is bleak as focus of G20 countries is too narrow

As the 20 group of the world's wealthiest counttries prepare to meet later this week, Social Justice Ireland believes that the endless focus on economic growth while failing to address issues ranging from sustainabiility to fair distribution to changing the basis on which a deeply flawed banking system operates does not augur well for most people for the forseeable future. The OECD has stated that bold decisions are needed from the G20 leaders meeting in Cannes this week to get the global economy back on track.

Inequality in USA has widened dramatically as top 1% gain hugely. Implications for Ireland?

Inequality has been growing dramatically in the USA according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on November 25, 2011.  After-tax income for the highest-income households grew more than it did for any other group in the USA between 1979 and 2007. The trend in Ireland is along similar lines. This needs to be reversed in Budget 2011 and it can be done.

Action on climate change not keeping pace with latest scientific information

The world’s aggregate level of effort on climate change mitigation is not in line with the science and existing country commitments are insufficient to adequately address climate change according to a major study on the issue. Social Justice Ireland welcomes the publication of a new paper by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the support of the Government of Ireland. The report, entitled

Community and Voluntary Pillar says fiscal adjustment should be achieved in a 2:1 ratio between tax increases and expenditure cuts

The Community & Voluntary Pillar has said that the fiscal adjustment in 2012 and beyond should be achieved in a 2:1 ratio between tax increases and expenditure cuts. The Pillar made its comments at a briefing for media and members of the Oireachtas on their latest document, Choosing a Viable Future in Precarious Times.

Government Must Act Urgently on Long-Term Unemployment

Social Justice Ireland urges the Government to act immediately on unemployment, especially long term unemployment. A report just published by European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) has found that the Irish labour market suffered more job losses proportionately between 2008 and 2010 than any other country in the 27 States of the EU.

Social Justice Ireland shows ‘Troika how poor and vulnerable people can be protected in Budget 2012 and beyond

The ‘troika’ has been told that the reduction in Ireland’s borrowing in 2012 and subsequent years should be achieved by increasing taxation (but not income tax) by €2 for every €1 reduction in funding of public services.

Social Justice Ireland's Briefing for the IMF/ECB/EC 'troika' - Full Text

Social Justice Ireland met the IMF/ECB/EC 'troika' on Monday, October 17, 2011. We presented them with a Briefing document setting out a fully-costed set of proposals which would see the terms of the Bailout Agreement met but which would ensure that poor and vulnerable people were not further burdened. 

Governments must break the link between states and their banks and minimize costs to taxpayers - Chopra (IMF) supports position proposed by Social Justice Ireland

Governments must break the link between states and their banks according to Ajai Chopra, Deputy Director, European Department, International Monetary Fund, and leader of the 'troika' currently overseeing Ireland's Bailout Agreement with the IMF, the European Central Bank and the European Commission.  In a remarkable presentation at the Dublin Economic Workshop in Kenmare on October 15, 2011, he outlined a position that is remarkably similar to that  proposed and advocated by Social Justice Ireland for almost three years.

Latest OECD Report on Ireland is wrong on welfare rates

Social Justice Ireland is deeply disappointed with some of the recommendations of the OECD’s latest report on Ireland. In particular we are disappointed with a number of recommendations that would seriously damage poor people, especially those who are unemployed.  The report contains mixed messages, some of which are at odds with Ireland’s current reality. The research on which some of these recommendations are made is deeply flawed.  Some of these  recommendations are also at odds with the ESRI report on Tax, Welfare and Employment just published.

Unemployed people are NOT better off on social welfare

Social Justice Ireland welcomes the publication of the ESRI report on ‘Tax, Welfare and Work Incentives’ which finds that 8 out of 10 people receiving welfare payments would increase their income by at least 50% if they were to obtain a job. These findings comprehensively refute the argument that most unemployed people ‘are better off on the dole’.

Fiscal Council proposals not credible - would make a bad situation worse

The proposals from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council to Government are simply not credible. In reality they would make a bad situation worse.

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council - first report - FULL TEXT and main findings

This first Fiscal Assessment Report, published on October 12, 2011, provides an assessment of the Government’s fiscal stance and projections as set out in the Stability Programme Update (SPU) last April, taking into account significant recent developments.

Eurostat Report an indictment of Government’s lack of support of small Irish businesses

Social Justice Ireland is disappointed but not surprised at the results from latest Eurostat Report which has found Irish SMEs are among the least successful in the EU in accessing credit.

Government should introduce a student loan scheme for 3rd level students in Budget 2012

Government should introduce a student loan scheme for 3rd level students in Budget 2012. There are strong arguments from an equity perspective that those who benefit from higher education, and who can afford to contribute to the costs of their higher education, should do so.

Budget should increase tax (but not income tax) by €2 for every €1 cut from public services in Budget 2012

Social Justice Ireland is proposing that Government should increase the total tax-take (but not income tax) by €2 for every €1 cut from public services in Budget 2012. In a Policy Briefing oulining ‘Budget Choices’ Social Justice Ireland presented a fully-costed Budget which shows how Government could reduce borrowing by €3.6bn in the coming year without damaging poor and vulnerable people further.

Social Justice Ireland's Policy Briefing on Budget Choices 2012 - Full Text

Social Justice Ireland published (October 4, 2011) a fully-costed set of Budget Proposals as part of its Policy Briefing on Budget Choices.  These proposals show how Government could reduce its borrowing by €3.6bn in 2012 without further damaging poor and/or vulnerable people.  The full text of this Policy Briefing may be accessed here.

Banks should pay their fair share - Social Justice Ireland welcomes EU proposal for a financial transaction tax -

Social Justice Ireland strongly welcomes the progress made towards introducing a Financial Transaction Tax in the EU.  This would be a very efficient mechanism to ensure banks and financial institutions made a contribution towards resolving the current series of crises which were, in great part, caused by these very institutions.  It is time financial institutions paid their fair share. 

Bill Gates proposes a Financial Transaction Tax to G20 to Fund Development

Bill Gates has given his support to a campaign to put a small tax on financial trades (known as a Financial Transaction Tax - FTT). In a note presented to the G20 he proposes to generate up to $48billion in revenue on a G20-wide basis which can be then used to fund spending on development. 

Global economic downturn makes Ireland’s Bailout Agreement targets even more unlikely to be achieved.

The global economy is in a dangerous new phase according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its World Economic Outlook published September 20, 2011, the IMF states that global activity has weakened and become more uneven, confidence has fallen sharply recently, and downside risks are growing. This slowdown will make it even more unlikely that Ireland’s Bailout Agreement targets will be achieved. 

Five reasons why there is NO justification for Government to reduce social welfare rates in Budget 2012

There is absolutely no justification for Government to reduce social welfare rates in Budget 2012.  Government can reduce its borrowing by €3.6bn in the Budget while still protecting Ireland’s most vulnerable people who have taken more than their fair share of the ‘hit’ for the reckless and at times illegal activities of those who got Ireland into its present mess.

New Voices, Different Perspectives - publication by the AfricaAdapt network highlights excellent work on environment in Africa

Much public commentary on Africa is very negative and often is tinged with despair.  But much that is really worthwhile is being done on that continent.  Here is one example of some very good work. 

Social Justice Ireland meets IMF, ECB and EC on Ireland's Bailout

At a  one and a half hour-long meeting in Dublin with the ‘Troika’ team from the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission on Monday, July 11, 2011, Social Justice Ireland argued that Ireland’s Bailout Agreement was a process which in reality is dispossessing poor and vulnerable people of their meagre resources so as to re-pay those banks, financial institutions and others who gambled recklessly, invested unwisely and were paid premium interest rates to do so but lost their gamble.  

When Ireland's GDP and GNP per capita are far above the EU average why are the poor being dispossessed?

The latest figures for GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita in EU Member States have been published by Eurostat.  They show Ireland's GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Standard (PPS) is 125% of the EU average. Only Luxembourg and the Netherlands arae higher. Denmark and Austria are tied with Ireland.  All other EU countries have lower GDP per capita in 2010.Even when  measured as a percentage of GNP (Gross National Product) Ireland is still above the the EU average and ranks in the top dozen countries.

Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) would raise €465bn - to tackle climate change and poverty across the world

A Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) could have a major positive impact on people's well-being and that of the planet, according to a new report by CIDDSE the international alliance of Catholic development agences. The report estimates that a FTT at 0.05% on financial transactions would raise €465bn. CIDSE advocates this money be used to tackle climate change issues. Social Justice Ireland has advocated for years for such a tax and proposed the income should be used to tackle poverty and climate change across the world with particular focus on achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Healthcare policy must prioritise Primary Care Teams, community supports and social care infrastructure

Ending the ongoing spiral of healthcare crises in Ireland requires that Primary Care Teams (PCTs) and the linked community supports and social care infrastructure must be put at the centre of healthcare policy and resourced adequately according to Social Justice Ireland’s latest Policy Briefing. This approach would enable communities to look after their own people locally with their families and friends where they want to be according to Social Justice Ireland.  

Policy Briefing on Healthcare, published June 7, 2011 - Full Text

Social Justice Ireland published a Policy Briefing on Healthcare on June 7, 2011.  The full text of the Briefing may be accessed here.

Twin-track approach required to have significant impact on reducing long-term unemployment

As unemployment reaches its highest point in 2011 Government requires a twin-track strategy – one track focused on job-creation and the other track focused on creating real meaningful work opportunities for people who are long-term unemployed.  Social Justice Ireland believes that while initiatives focused on improving job creation and protecting jobs that already exist are very welcome and necessary, they should not be allowed to create an illusion that Ireland’s unemployment crisis will be resolved in the period immediately ahead. 

OECD proposal on unemployment payments is preposterous and perverse

Social Justice Ireland has strongly criticised a proposal from the OECD that unemployment payments should be reduced over time to encourage unemployed people to take up employment. The vast majority of unemployed people would take up any job that was available.   Just a few years ago the long-term unemployment rate in Ireland was one of the lowest in the world at 1.3%.  Many people became unemployed because of the collapse in the economy. The greatest devastation of this recession is being borne by those who have lost their jobs.

OECD publishes its Economic Outlook and a forecast for Ireland

The OECD published its Economic Outlook #89 on May 25, 2011. Material made available on the web may be accessed here.
On the same day the OECD published an economic forecast summary for Ireland. The summary may be accesed here.

IMF calls on EU to provide better support for Ireland's economic recovery

A more comprehensive European approach to dealing with the region's debt crisis is needed to help Ireland regain access to debt markets, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday May 20, 2011.    The IMF went on to say that Europe needed to address the risk of financial stress in its periphery through a more "comprehensive" plan. 

Long-term care spending set to double or triple by 2050 - OECD

Spending on long-term care in OECD countries is set to double, even triple, by 2050, driven by ageing populations. Governments need to make their long-term care policies more affordable and provide better support for family careers and professionals, according to a new OECD report. This is a very significant report in the context of Ireland's 'Fair Deal' programme providing long-term care for older people does not have sufficient funding.

Current series of crises risks a regression in rights, social protection and democracy

The current series of crises risks a regression in rights, social protection and democracy according to Social Justice Ireland’s annual Socio-Economic Review. The 254-page Review, entitled ‘A New and Better Ireland’, claims that “on the one hand there is a danger that people put all their trust in the market as the only real source of solutions to the challenges being faced.

Jobs Initiative far too small to make any impact of substance on Ireland’s record level of long-term unemployment

Social Justice Ireland believes the Government’s ‘Jobs Initiative’ is far too small to make any impact of substance on Ireland’s record level of long-term unemployment. The proposals contained within the Jobs Initiative are welcome as far as they go but there will be no major reduction in the numbers long-term unemployed for the foreseeable future without far more radical action being taken aimed directly at reducing the numbers long-term unemployed.

Government's Jobs Initiative - Full Text

The Irish Government published a Jobs Initiative on May 10, 2011.  This initiative honoured a commitment contained in the Programme for Government.

Social Justice Ireland proposes creation of 100,000 part-time jobs for long-term unemployed people

Social Justice Ireland has called on Government to create a Part-Time Job Opportunities Programme aimed at taking 100,000 people off the live register, on a voluntary basis, over a three-year period. This approach was successfully piloted in six different parts of the country during Ireland’s last period of high unemployment (1994-98).  

Limits to Growth and Sustainable Development

Sean McDonagh's 2nd reflection from the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development's 19th session in New York reflects on the ground-breaking 'Limits to Growth' study published in 1972 and charts developments over the intervening period.

EU fails to challenge polluting and poisoning mining corporations at UN Commission on Sustainable Development

The opening session of the UN Commision on Sustainable Development in New York saw the EU input totally ignoring the pollution, poisoning and impoverishment caused by many mining corporations.

Income Changes – a 25-year Assessment: Welfare rates should NOT have been reduced

Was it fair to cut welfare rates in Budget 2011?  Did the increases in social welfare rates in the mid-2000s justify a reduction in rates in Budget 2011?  The Minister for Finance and the Government claimed the answer to both of these questions was yes. We disagree and suggest the evidence does not support the Government's claims.

Top 10% have gained most since the 1980s as income gap widens between these and all others in society

New research published by Social Justice Ireland  shows that, while poverty in Ireland is high, Government policies since 1987 have been increasing the income of the richest ten per cent of households and widening the gap between these and the rest of society. 

Social Justice Ireland's Analysis and Critique of Budget 2012 - FULL TEXT

Social Justice Ireland has produced a 24-page Analysis and Critique of Budget 2012.

Purchase 'A New and Fairer Ireland' - Social Justice Ireland's annual Socio-Economic Review

You may purchase Social Justice Ireland's Socio-Economic Review 2011 entitled A New and Fairer Ireland for €15 (including packaging and postage)

Policy Issues: A large volume of material is available on this site on a wide range of policy issues

MA in Social Justice and Public Policy - next intake: Autumn 2011

This MA in Social Justice and Public Policy is a part-time, 2-year programme taught at All Hallows College whcih is a college within Dublin City University.  This programme is designed to give those wishing to engage with public policy from a social justice perspective the necessary academic background and skills to achieve their aims.

Welfare State may support only middle-class and better off people if present trends continue.

Poor people likely to lose out if the challenges facing the welfare state are not addressed comprehensively.

The Welfare State in the years ahead may support only middle-class and better off people. Poor people and others who are vulnerable are likely to lose out ifthe challenges facing the welfare state are not addressed comprehensively.”

Purchase 'The Future of the Welfare State'

You can purchase Social Justice Ireland's publication on The Future of the Welfare State for €15 (including packaging and postge). 

Purchase 'Building a Fairer Tax System - The Working Poor and the Cost of Refundable Tax Credits'

You may purchase Social Justice Ireland's publication on 'Building a Fairer Tax System - The Working Poor and the Cost of Refundable Tax Credits' for €10 (including packaging and postage). 

Flawed analysis and faulty logic have resulted in poor people being wrongly targeted by Government.

A combination of flawed analysis and faulty logic has resulted in poor people taking a hugely unfair proportion of the burden of Budget adjustments in recent years. In its 254-page annual Socio-Economic Review entitled ‘A New and Fairer Ireland’, published Monday May 16th, 2011, Social Justice Ireland argues that Government failed to acknowledge that improvements in social welfare rates in the mid-2000s were simply a partial ‘catch-up’ for people who had been  left far behind while others gained in the preceding years.  This flawed analysis was combined with a faulty logic which justified targeting poor people without realising they were far less able to absorb the ‘hits’ heaped on them. As a result, the working poor and people depending on social welfare payments have been left without sufficient resources to live life with dignity because of Government’s actions. This situation is unjust, unfair and unacceptable and should be reversed.

A New and Fairer Ireland - full text

A New and Fairer Ireland is the title of Social Justice Ireland's Socio-Economic Review published on May 16, 2011.  The sub-title is: Securing Economic Development, Social Equity and Sustainability. 

How can we shape Ireland’s future?

In recent decades little attention has been paid to issues concerning the future. However, the future, how it should be shaped and who should be involved in shaping it has never been more significant. Since 2007 the world’s economy has been in turmoil and our political systems have failed to deal with these difficulties in a fair and just manner. Questions regarding the shape of Ireland’s future are now critically important.

Sharing Responsibility in Shaping the Future - Full text

Sharing Responsibility in Shaping the Future was published on September 14, 2011
The full text of the book is available here.
The individual chapters of the book may be downloaded via the links below:

The Future of the Welfare State - 2010 - Full Texts

The Future of the Welfare State was published by Social Justice ireland on September 21, 2010.
The full book is available here
Chapter one, entitled 'The future of the welfare state: An Overview' by Tony Fahey is available here.

Beyond GDP: What is progress and how should it be measured? - Full texts

This publication from Social Justice Ireland's addresses the topic Beyond GDP: What is progress and how should it be measured?  The full text of the book and the individual chapters are available through the links below.
Beyond GDP: What is progress and how should it be measured? - complete book

Programme for Government 2011-2016 - Full Text

Fine Gael and Labour have produced a programme for Government entitled Government for National Recovery 2011-2016.
The full text of the Programme for Government 2011-2016 may be accessed here.

Ireland's population rises to almost 4.6m while 294,000 dwellings are vacant

The total population in the Republic of Ireland is 4,581,269 according to the Census 2011 preliminary results. This is an increase of 341,421 on the 2006 census. In percentage terms this shows an increase of 8.1 per cent over the past five years, or an annual average of 1.6 per cent, compared to 2.0 per cent per annum in the period 2002-2006.

Ireland should “Put people at the centre of policy measures,” according to UN expert on extreme poverty

The economic and financial crisis in Ireland poses a disproportionate threat to vulnerable segments in the country who benefitted little from its economic boom in the first place, the UN Independent Expert on human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda has warned.

UN Report strongly criticises Ireland for making major cuts in public services while keeping Ireland a low-tax country.

A United Nations report has strongly criticized the Government’s policy of making major cuts in public services while keeping Ireland a low-tax country. The report states that this approach hits poor people hardest in a time of recession.

UN Report on Ireland by Independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty - Full Text

Social Justice Ireland challenges Ireland’s benchmarking of itself beside Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia

 
Producing a fair budget and working for a fairer future requires that Ireland stop benchmarking itself with Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Ireland’s Overseas Development Assistance Budget set to fall for the fourth year in a row

Ireland is heading for the fourth year in a row in which its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) Budget will fall as a percentage of Gross National Product. According to the annual report of Irish Aid just published, in 2010 Ireland’s Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a percentage of Gross National Product fell for the third year in a row.

Ireland should re-commit to overseas aid target for 2012

 
Social Justice Ireland  believes that Ireland’s overseas aid budget should not be reduced any further. In the context of Ireland’s current challenges it is important to bear in mind that many people in the world are in a far worse situation and have been in this situation for a very long time. Ireland and other countries in the better-off part of the world should not abandon the world’s poorest at this crucial time.

Causes of Banking Crisis - Full text and all findings

The full text of the 172-page Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Banking Sector in Ireland was published on April 20, 2011.

Ireland heading for chaotic national bankruptcy - Morgan Kelly in The Irish Times

Ireland is heading for bankruptcy, which would be catastrophic for Ireland according to Morgan Kelly in his op-ed article in the Irish Times on May 7, 2011.

Responses to Morgan Kelly's claims on Bailout Agreement

Here are a number of responses following from Professor Morgan Kelly's critique of the IMF/ECB/EC Bailout Agreement with Ireland. Morgan Kelly is Professor of Economics at University College Dublin.
Professor Patrick Honohan, Governor of the Central Bank, - his own response as reported in the Irish Times may be accessed in pdf format here.

Commission on Taxation produces mixed set of proposals

The Report of the Commission on Taxation, published on September 7, 2009, has produced a wide range of proposals. Some of these are very positive others are not acceptable. 

NESC Report on Well-Being - published October 6, 2009

An integrated and balanced approach, which takes into account the well-being of individuals and of society, is required in responding to the economic crisis’ according to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). In its recent report NESC argues that economic and social progress are complementary, so that social well-being is a central element in economic recovery.

GDP seen as a poor measure of progress by Nobel economists Stiglitz, Sen and others

Standard measures of economic performance must be overhauled to reflect “well-being” and to help policy-makers address financial instability and climate change according to a major new study prepared by a Commission headed by two Nobel laureates in economics, Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen. 

New Encyclical emphasises importance of the common good

Fixing the Economy by Focusing on Ethics

Encyclical calls for a new business order governed by ethics and the common good

Pay agreement 2010-2014 - Full Text

Ground-breaking book shatters claims that income inequality doesn't matter

A recently published book entitled The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better, has produced the evidence that will no longer allow anybody to legitimately claim that income inequality doesn't matter.

OECD urges Governments to safeguard social support for poorest families

Poverty in households with children is rising in nearly all OECD countries. Governments should ensure that family support policies protect the most vulnerable, according to the OECD’s first-ever report on family well-being.

Ireland has fastest growing peripheral economy 2010-2016 but will only reach 2007 level in 2016

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Report published Monday, April 11, 2011, shows Ireland as having the fastest-growing economy, as measured in nominal GDP terms, among the European periphery countries (Greece, Portugal, Spain and Ireland) between 2010 and 2016.  However, because of Ireland's decline in the 2007-2010 period, Ireland will simply reach its 2007 level in 2016.

Review of State Assets - Full texts and recommendations

The Report of the Review Group  on State Assets and Liabilities was published by Government on April 20, 2011. The full list of recommendations contained in the report was published also in the Department of Finance's 8-page note on the  Report. Full text of both documents available below.

Department of Finance Briefings for Minister propose renewed attacks on the vulnerable

The Department of Finance's briefing documents prepared for the incoming Minister for Finance continue to focus on attacking the vuilnerable in forthcoming budgets.