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Policy Issues Home

A wide range of material on many policy issues is available on this page.  This includes both material and commentary from Social Justice Ireland and material from other sources.  The policy issues are listed alphabetically in the menu on this page.

Targeted actions required to reduce number of 'low work intensity' households

27th June 2018

The percentage of people in Ireland living in households where no-one is employed, or where there is only marginal attachment to the labour force, is higher than in most of our European peers. But until now, little research has been carried out on why this is the case and what are the barriers to employment faced by people in these ‘low work intensity’ households.

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

On the 19th June 2018, Dr. Seán Healy, CEO, and Eamon Murphy, Economic and Social Analyst, attended the Select Committee on Budgetary Oversight to discuss options for Budget 2019.  To view the proceedings (start 2:13:42), click HERE.

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 – Our 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.

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