Analysis & Comment

MA in Social Justice & Public Policy

23rd May 2018

In partnership with Social Justice Ireland, the School of Humanities at Waterford Institute of Technology will offer a new MA in Social Justice and Public Policy from September 2018.

Now is the time to increase Ireland's total tax-take

4th May 2018

A low tax-take is not justified in a wealthy society. With new all-time highs in household wealth levels, government should take the opportunity to raise the resources needed to build a fair and just society.

Are homelessness figures being massaged?

3rd May 2018

Serious questions are being raised about the veracity of homelessness numbers emanating from the Department of Housing.

1 in 6 Irish people in poverty - not good enough!

1st May 2018

A new study released today by the CSO reminds us that despite our improved economic performance, one in six Irish people are still living in poverty.

Government launches the National Implementation Plan for the SDGs

30th April 2018

On Thursday, 26th April 2018, Minister Denis Naughten unveiled Government's Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020.  Social Justice Ireland welcomes this development and the commitment of Government to document the specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which each current and new Government policy relates, and calls for the addition of an impact assessment for each of those policies in achieving Ireland’s goals and the closing of data gaps to support the development of an achievable SDG strategy.

Social Justice Ireland submission on Ireland’s National Reform Programme

23rd April 2018

The Government has today published its National Reform Programme 2018, as submitted to the European Commission.  In informing this process Social Justice Ireland submitted two papers to the Department of An Taoiseach - our comprehensive Europe2020 report and our analysis on the Country Specific Recommendations set out in the 2018 Country Report for Ireland.

Viability for Affordable Residential Developments, Building on Shaky Ground

19th April 2018

Last week (12th April 2018), the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government released its Review of Delivery Costs and Viability for Affordable Residential Developments, which enumerated the many reasons why providing affordable homes was difficult.  There are many issues with this report, primarily with the lack of urgency in the Government’s response to this national emergency, however one glaring problem is its viability and affordability model.  It is neither viable nor affordable.

Shadow Report on Ireland’s progress under the Sustainable Development Goals: Social Justice Ireland’s submission to Coalition 2030

18th April 2018

Social Justice Ireland, as part of our work with Coalition2030, recently submitted our Sustainable Progress Index to inform its report on Ireland's performance under the Sustainable Development Goals.  Our Index monitors Ireland’s performance under each of the 17 SDGs, using data collected on 53 indicators, and ranks that performance against the EU15 countries.  We then provide a list of policy recommendations and considerations for Government based on the evidence gathered. 

Mortgage Arrears - 35,000 people at risk of homelessness

10th April 2018

Almost 10,000 people accessed emergency accommodation in February 2018.   Research released today by the Central Bank of Ireland suggests that almost 35,000 more are at risk of homelessness through late stage mortgage arrears.

Overall tax take needs to increase by €3bn to fund a fair and equal society

3rd April 2018

Social Justice Ireland publishes its annual Socio-Economic Review today, and calls for an increase in Ireland's overall tax take of €3bn. This must be the first step on the path to funding a fairer and more equal society. The Government needs to raise additional annual tax revenue far in excess of current levels if we are to acheive this.

You may view summaries of the preceding 20 posts in the sidebar of this page.

Recent publications

Budget Choices 2019

8th May 2018

Social Justice Ireland will launch Budget Choices 2019 at Buswells Hotels on Molesworth Street on Tuesday June 5th. Register here to hear and discuss our proposals which would lead towards a fairer, more just society.

Ireland vs EU28: Social Justice Ireland’s Report monitoring Ireland’s Progress towards achieving the SDGs

24th April 2018

Following up on Social Justice Ireland’s Sustainable Progress Index, we publish our report monitoring Ireland’s progress towards each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and call on Government to ensure that achieving the SDGs is a key consideration for future policy-making, to identify to which SDG each new policy relates and document how that policy will support Ireland to achieve its goals.

Socio Economic Review 2018

3rd April 2018

Social Justice Ireland’s annual Socio-Economic Review is entitled Social Justice Matters. This book is about charting a course to a better Ireland. At the foundation of that is how we raise taxes and how much tax we raise.

Quarterly Employment Monitor - March 2018

26th March 2018

Social Justice Ireland's quarterly Employment Monitor, published March 2017, may be accessed here. It deals with the issues of regional balance in employment generation, with a particular focus on the labour market participation rate.

Over 100,000 people in employment in poverty. Stark figures need immediate action

20th March 2018

Over 100,000 people in employment are at risk of poverty. This shocking figure indicates that the employment system is broken and workers’ rights are not being protected or prioritized by policy makers.

Recent podcasts/videos

Global Justice Day Conference

20th February 2018

Social Justice Ireland marks UN World Day of Social Justice each year with a seminar looking at Ireland's progress to date in meeting our responsibilities under the Global Goals. You can view video footage of the seminar here.

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins addresses our Social Policy Conference

23rd November 2017

Social Justice Ireland were honoured to have President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins deliver the key note address at our 30th Annual Social Policy Conference. Click here to watch the video of his presentation, or download his paper, entitled On The Discourse That We Need.

See the Videos and Papers from our 30th Annual Social Policy Conference

21st November 2017

This year's conference featured an excellent and diverse line-up of speakers from Spain, Italy, Germany, the USA, and Ireland. The key note address was delivered by President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. Click in to download papers from the conference, watch the presentations, see our handy summary graphics, or download the entire conference booklet for free.

Budget 2018 Analysis and Critique

10th October 2017

Watch Social Justice Ireland's Budget Response Seminar from the morning after Budget 2018 was announced, and download our Analysis and Critique of Budget 2018, which provides a comprehensive anaylsis including in areas such as taxation, social protection, health, education, employment, distributional impact, housing and ODA.

Basic Income Conference 2016

2nd December 2016

Social Justice Ireland’s 2016 Social Policy Conference centred around the topic of basic income in Ireland and throughout Europe. It was titled Basic Income: Radical Utopia or Practical Solution? and explored current thinking about basic income in both the global and Irish contexts. This page draws together, in one handy space, all the associated literature and video material from the day.