Current issues and trends in anti-poverty work in Ireland and the EU CWI Summer School 2016 Current issues and trends in anti-poverty work in Ireland and the EU Hugh Frazer Adjunct Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University & Coordinator, European Social Policy Network

Introduction 2 main sources European Social Policy Network http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1135&langId=en Claiming Our Future http://www.claimingourfuture.ie/ 2 themes Developments in anti-poverty work in EU Some lessons from Declaration for a Future Ireland Importance to look at Irish issues also in a wider EU & international context

Key Trends and Issues Persistence/increase in poverty, inequality & social exclusion Increase in deprivation Growing divergence between countries Child poverty Children particularly affected by economic crisis Housing exclusion and homelessness Lack of investment in social housing Ageing population Sustainability of pensions Need for new systems of care Minorities at high/growing risk Increase in discrimination, racism and xenophbia Populism & rise of extreme right Impact of migration crisis

Poverty, Social Exclusion and Inequality in Ireland and EU   IRELAND EUROPEAN UNION 2009 2014 At risk of poverty all children 15.0 15.6 + 16.5 17.2 + 17.8 15.7 - 19.3 20.1 + At risk of poverty or social exclusion 25.7 27.6 + 23.3 24.4 + 31.5 29.0 - 26.2 27.4 + Severe Material Deprivation 6.1 8.4 + 8.2 8.9 + 9.2 9.6 + 9.4 10.2 + In-work poverty 5.7 8.5 + 11.0 12.7 + Very low work intensity h’holds 20.0 21.1 + 11.2 + Inequality gini coeff. S80/S20 28.8 30.8 + 30.6 30.9 + 4.2 4.8 + 4.9 5.2 +

Irish & EU15 Income poverty 2004-2015

Severe Material Deprivation in Ireland and EU15, 2004-2012 (EU measure) – Total population and children (0-17)

High Proportion of Children in Jobless Households in Ireland % Adults in Jobless Households Living with Children, 2009

6 Negative Social Policy Trends in EU Austerity/cutbacks/lack of investment increased demand but less resources (e.g. ESN) risk of more targeting at expense of universal public services Increased conditionality and scapegoating Marketisation/privatisation of public services Imbalance between economic, employment, environmental & social policies Reduction of social policy to employment policy Less emphasis on participation and consultation 2000-2010 positive trend but now negative

Some positive EU developments (potentially) Efforts to rebalance economic and social policy Europe 2020 (and Structural Funds) Social Investment Package European Pillar of Social Rights (proposed) More emphasis on rights Lisbon Treaty – Children - European Pillar More focus on improvements to social protection systems lessons from the crisis: countries coped best had strong social protection systems sustainability and adequacy pension adequacy and sustainability More recognition of need for holistic and coordinated approach Active inclusion; Investing in Children; long-term unemployment Decentralisation & increased focus on local coordination but runs risks of uneven provision investing in children - long-term unemployment - minimum income - long-term care Increased (belated) focus on social policy response to migration crisis

Declaration for a Future Ireland 1 year process wide range of civil society organisations 50 submissions community, environmental, global justice, cultural and trade union sectors 5 lessons Need for radical change failure to respond to the core challenges of global and local inequality and climate change failure to share growth and prosperity fairly lack of investment in public infrastructure Importance and potential of Core Values equality, environmental sustainability, participation, accountability and solidarity Change through empowerment & collective action Outward looking and international in perspective Interconnectedness of issues Need for a comprehensive agenda for action (21 guarantees) equality, rights and justice a participatory, accountable and inclusive democracy an environmentally sustainable and vibrant economy a high quality of life based on solidarity

Broken Politics – Civil Society’s Role in Creating Real Change Fragmentation and failure to achieve real change Many positive initiatives but no critical mass Need to develop: New ways of connecting across civil society New forms of connection with academia, politicians and the media THUS All parts of civil society concerned with social, economic, environmental and global justice are coming together to reflect, connect and imagine new strategies for transformative change 18th June, 10.30 am – 3.30 pm, The Mansion House, Dublin 2 Register: http://broken-politics.eventbrite.ie