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Policy issues concerning Health

10,000 homeless (including 3,600 children), 87,000 households on waiting lists – Government policy is a dramatic failure

4th September 2018

The Government has failed to respond adequately to our nation’s housing crisis. There are almost 87,000 households on social housing waiting lists - over half of whom are families - and 10,000 homeless, of whom 3,600 are children. This is a national emergency. The impact of homelessness and precarious housing on our nation’s children will be felt for generations to come.

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.

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.

OECD criticises Ireland's failure to tackle most pressing social needs

9th March 2018

A report published yesterday by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has criticised Ireland’s performance in key areas such as health and housing.

Only 31 per cent of working-age people with a disability are employed

11th December 2017

31 per cent of working-age people with a disability are employed, which is less than half the rate of those without a disability, according to Social Justice Ireland’s latest Quarterly Employment Monitor.

Government must build 90,000 social housing units or accept failure on housing policy

4th September 2017

The current approach to housing policy in Ireland is not working; the private sector will never build social housing units on the scale required.  Government must commit to building sufficient social housing units to eliminate the current housing waiting list.  This is the only way to address Ireland’s ongoing housing and homelessness crisis.  This is a key finding of Social Justice Ireland's National Social Monitor 2017.

Future of Healthcare

30th May 2017

Social Justice Ireland welcomes the publication of the Committee on the future of Healthcare Report.  In particular we welcome the recognition that Ireland’s health system should be built on the solid foundations of primary care and social care.  In order to deliver the modern, responsive, integrated public health system that the report envisages it is vital that the necessary budget is made available.

Ireland needs a new and radical social contract

18th April 2017

Ireland’s social contract is broken.  The legitimate expectations of citizens are not being met.  This is most obvious in areas such as housing and homelessness, a two-tier healthcare system, an ongoing failure to provide rural broadband and high levels of poverty and social exclusion, especially among children.  2017 is the first year of a new century for Ireland and now is the perfect opportunity to develop a new and radical social contract for Ireland’s second century. 

One million over-65’s by 2031 - now is the time to plan

5th September 2016

There will be nearly 1 million people aged 65 and over by 2031 – an increase of 86.4 per cent.  Of these 136,000 will be aged 85 or over by 2031, an increase of 132.8 per cent.  Now is the time to plan Ireland’s investment in services and infrastructure. This is one of the key issues highlighted in the National Social Monitor 2016.

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