Analysis & Comment

Unbalanced tax system and lack of investment in infrastructure among greatest risks to Ireland – Social Justice Ireland submission on the Draft National Risk Assessment 2018

21st June 2018

Social Justice Ireland submitted to the Department of An Taoiseach on the Draft National Risk Assessment 2018.  In our submission, we urge Government to view the absence of a progressive tax system and lack of infrastructure development as real and immediate risks and to take necessary steps to address them.

MA in Social Justice & Public Policy

20th June 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.

Time to equalise Jobseekers rates for young people

20th June 2018

With significant resources available in Budget 2019, it is time to address an unjustifiable discrimination against younger people. The rate of severe deprivation among 18-24 year olds increased twice as fast as it did for the general population between 2007 and 2015. Removing the tiered approach to Jobseekers Allowance would help to reverse this.

Social Justice Ireland attend Select Committee on Budgetary Oversight

19th June 2018

Today at 5.30pm, Seán Healy, CEO and Eamon Murphy, Economic and Social Analyst, will attend the Select Committee on Budgetary Oversight to discuss options for Budget 2019.  To view the proceedings live, click HERE or go to www.oireachtas.ie and search for Committee Room 3.

Construction over-reported by over 31,000 homes

16th June 2018

A new report by the CSO has shown that housing construction was consistently been overreported by Government between 2011 and 2017, by almost 60%, a total of 31,576 dwellings. 

Consumer Protection should be at the core of Central Bank Regulation

15th June 2018

The Central Bank of Ireland is currently formulating its Strategic Plan 2019-2021.  In light of the number of regulatory issues coming to light - with tracker mortgages, over-charging and access issues - it is important that this Strategic Plan focus on consumer protection and regulation of the financial sector to ensure accountability and access to essential services.  See Social Justice Ireland's submission to the Central Bank here. 

Supporting Civil Society Organisations – Social Justice Ireland submission on the future of the SSNO grant

14th June 2018

The role of civil society and the Community and Voluntary sector cannot be overstated in progressing societal and environmental issues at national level.  Through the expansion and reform of the SSNO grant, the Department of Rural and Community Development can support organisations to progress this important work towards a fairer, more just society.  Read Social Justice Ireland's submission to the Department here.

Making Rent Affordable - Costing Cost Rental

12th June 2018

The lack of quality, affordable, long-term rental properties; double-digit rent inflation and the continued use of private rent subsidies for families in need of a real social housing response only serves to add to the problem. It’s time to think of alternatives, and alternative ways to finance sustainable and affordable homes.

Child benefit must remain a universal payment

7th June 2018

Social Justice Ireland strongly welcomes Minister Regina Doherty’s comments this week, saying she believes in the universality of child benefit payments. Child benefit is an important acknowledgement of the fact that raising children is an economically and socially necessary job.

Social Justice Ireland supports Development Perspectives' #SDGChallenge

28th May 2018

Social Justice Ireland has partnered with Development Perspectives in support of their #SDGChallenge.  May is the month for SDG8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth.

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

Recent publications

Budget 2019 is a chance to relieve social injustices

5th June 2018

Ireland now has the resources to ensure that Budget 2019 addresses the key challenges and social injustices facing Irish people. Priority should be given to tackling the social housing crisis, reforming the healthcare system and addressing rural and regional challenges with a special focus on resourcing communities.

Budget Choices 2019 Seminar

5th June 2018

Watch Social Justice Ireland's Budget Choices Seminar, which was streamed live from Buswells Hotel on Tuesday June 5th.

Dr. Seán Healy, Colette Bennett and Eamon Murphy talk through our budgetary proposals for 2019, including our analysis of the various crises and infrastructural deficits faced by Ireland, and our revenue-raising measures that can help tackle them.

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.

Recent podcasts/videos

Budget Choices 2019 Seminar

5th June 2018

Watch Social Justice Ireland's Budget Choices Seminar, which was streamed live from Buswells Hotel on Tuesday June 5th.

Dr. Seán Healy, Colette Bennett and Eamon Murphy talk through our budgetary proposals for 2019, including our analysis of the various crises and infrastructural deficits faced by Ireland, and our revenue-raising measures that can help tackle them.

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.