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Policy issues concerning Civil Society

Social Justice Ireland's 5 policy priorities for our newly elected MEPs

29th May 2019

Social Justice Ireland wishes our newly elected MEPs every success.  This is a pivotal time for the future of the European Union and MEPs play a key role in ensuring that social and environmental sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of Europe's future.   To this end we have formulated Five Key Policy Asks for our MEPs in conjunction with Trocaire. They are:

  1. The Elimination of Poverty
  2. The Championing of Climate Justice
  3. Policy Coherence on the SDGs
  4. Delivery on the European Pillar of Social Rights
  5. Supporting an international treaty on Business and Human Rights

Dealing with the diverse issues raised in the Local and European elections

27th May 2019

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The local and European elections threw up a variety of diverse issues many of which seem to be at odds with each other.  Concerns among voters about the impact of climate change and about the future of agriculture and livelihood of farmers may seem incompatible at first glance, but yet they are both very important issues to different sectors of society.  What these elections remind us is that a comprehensive policy framework is required to make progress on these issues and deliver a better future for everyone.

Local government has the potential to transform our communities – time to harness this potential and deliver more power locally

13th May 2019

Local government has the potential to transform our communities but that potential is not being realised.  It is time to harness this potential and deliver more power locally.

Sustainable local development – how can we make it happen?

25th February 2019


We are facing into local elections in May 2019. Sustainable local development should be a key policy issue on the local government agenda.

Time to implement policies to meet Sustainable Development Goal #1 - No Poverty

17th October 2018

17th of October is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  In this era of increasing global wealth and economic growth it is important to highlight the large numbers of people living in poverty both here in Ireland and globally.  It is also a day to point to the policy options available that can improve the living conditions for all.  We can and should implement these policies without delay.

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.

Research Institute urges UK Government to adopt Basic Income

23rd January 2018

Current welfare systems were not designed to adapt to the challenges presented by automation and globalisation and are not fit for purpose. That's the view of a new paper from the Adam Smith Institute in the UK published to coincide with the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos this week. The institute argues that governments should look to Universal Basic Income (UBI) experiments around the world as they seek to address the risks posed by large-scale changes to the labour market while retaining the benefits of trade and technological progress.

Social Justice Ireland calls for EU-wide Basic Income system

7th June 2017

Social Justice Ireland has called for the introduction of an EU-wide Basic Income system.  Speaking at a consultation on the Future of Europe conducted by the European Economic and Social Committee, Seán Healy, Director, Social Justice Ireland, stated that confidence in the EU is being eroded steadily because of a number of failures in the areas of social policy, environmental protection and governance. It needed to be seen as a Union that cared for all its people.

Ireland ranked 11th of EU-15 countries in Sustainable Progress Index

20th February 2017

Ireland is making poor progress when ranked against the other 14 countries in the EU-15.  The new Sustainable Progress Index, published  by Social Justice Ireland to mark UN World Social Justice Day, February 20, 2017, shows the scale of the challenge facing Ireland under the headings of economy, society and environment.

Social Justice Ireland's SER 2015 Chapter on Values

28th February 2015

A discussion of the values underpinning decisions before and after the crisis forms part of the final chapter of our Socio-Economic Review 2015 'Towards a Just Society'.  This chapter is available below.

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