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Policy issues concerning Government

Ireland Ranks 11th out of 15 countries on UN Sustainable Development Goals

22nd February 2019


Ireland ranks 11th out of 15 comparable EU countries in this year’s Sustainable Progress Index. ‘Measuring Progress: The Sustainable Progress Index 2019’ ranks 15 comparable EU countries based on their delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ireland’s overall ranking in the bottom third will be noted by key stakeholders after the Irish Government published its SDG ‘National Development Plan’ just last year, committing itself to the UN SDGs across all policy areas. 

Costs of ‘reprofiling’ capital funds become clear

15th February 2019


The estimated cost of the overrun of the budget for the National Children’s Hospital currently stands at €450m.  Details have emerged of where the €99m to cover the cost of the National Children’s Hospital overrun in Budget 2019 will come from.   This will have an impact across a number of Departments and projects in 2019 and comes with a social and economic cost as well as a political one.  Government has yet to identify where the remainder of the €350m to cover the cost overrun will come from.  This information should be made available to the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

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.

One million on hospital waiting lists and children sleeping in Garda stations – Ireland’s worsening crises

10th August 2018

The economy is growing, unemployment is low - so why are Ireland's crises deepening?

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.

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.

‘Comprehensive and Necessary’ Reform of the Utilities Regulator needed – OECD

23rd February 2018

Successive Governments have continued to look to private entities to deliver public services.  This has given rise to a regulatory emphasis on safeguarding competition rather than protecting the consumer, leaving households dependent on essential services at the mercy of market forces.   The recommendations in a recent OECD report provide salutary advice.

Tax cuts will not deliver a fairer society

15th July 2015

Tax cuts will not solve Ireland’s infrastructure problems, will not improve social services and will not deliver a fairer society.  Government, at the National Economic Dialogue, should take a long-term view and promote the common good by using all available resource to invest in Ireland’s social and physical infrastructure and services. This approach would lay the foundations for Ireland to deal with the many social, economic and demographic challenges it is currently facing and generate social and economic returns for the state.

Socio-Economic Review 2014 - Overview

30th June 2014

Social Justice Ireland's Socio Economic Review 2014 'Steps Towards a Fairer Future' is a 320-page Review which analyses the economic challenges facing Irish people and the impact of policies put in place by Government. It sets out five key policy areas it proposes should be addressed simultaneously if we are to build a fairer future i.e. macroeconomic stability, just taxation, social protection, governance and sustainability.  Below is a podcast outlining the contents of the review.

Perspectives on the Fiscal Challenges Facing Ireland - Presentation

12th December 2013

Robert Watt, Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform presented a paper examining the fiscal challenges facing Ireland at the Social Justice Ireland Social Policy Conference 2013.  The paper addressed State expenditure, new fiscal rules and sustaining social cohesion.

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