Seán Healy Director, Social Justice Ireland

 Community is central to all social change and progress  Community and voluntary sector makes huge contribution across a wide range of arenas  Both community itself and the sector are especially important in difficult times – and these are very difficult times.  Both have not been treated well by policy- makers particularly at national level. Social Justice Ireland2

 Multiple ‘hits’ in Budget 2012 in Budget 2011 and 2010 and 2009 etc.  Unemployment  Rural economies under threat  Poverty  Rural development  Inadequate rural transport  Threat to rural schools  Services being reduced or cost more  Fighting for survival Social Justice Ireland3

 Increased carbon levy ◦ Low income families and rural dwellers impacted most by this tax. ◦ Government should use some of the money raised by the carbon level to support these groups.  VAT increase to 23%  Child Benefit cut  Rural Transport Programme cut  Funding for REPS cut  Reduction in public services Social Justice Ireland4

 Unemployment rate is14.1%.  Long-term unemployment rate is 8.6%.  Youth unemployment rate is 29.9%.  Emigration has tripled since 2008 ◦ Highest levels among those aged ◦ Over 40,000 Irish people emigrated in 2011  Radical initiatives needed. Social Justice Ireland5

 Risk of poverty in rural Ireland is 7% higher than urban areas (CSO 2010)  41% of farms generated an income of €6,500 of less in  In 2010 the number of farmers with work off the farm fell by 32%.  Majority of farm families rely on income support and payments from the state to supplement their income. Social Justice Ireland6

 Rural families have been hit in multiple ways: ◦ Child benefit has been reduced; ◦ Back to School Clothing and Footwear Scheme has been reduced; ◦ Primary school transport charge has been increased; ◦ Public services are being reduced; ◦ Charges are being introduced or increased for many services; ◦ VAT has been increased; ◦ Unemployment remains at a critical level; ◦ Carbon levy has been increased; ◦ 17 rural Garda stations have been closed; ◦ Small rural schools are under threat. Social Justice Ireland7

 Small rural schools are under threat due to the increase in pupil teacher allocations. ◦ 100 posts will be lost in 2012 and a further 150 posts will be lost in ◦ Schools have had a 7% cut in their capitation grants (to cover running costs) since ◦ 47 rural co-ordinator posts removed from rural DEIS schools in ◦ Rural DEIS schools will be further affected by cuts in Budget 2012 currently under review. Social Justice Ireland8

 In 2008, the sector had a value of €6.5bn, received about €1.89bn in state funding and employed 53,098 people (full-time equivalents).  From , government spending on current services fell 2.82%.  Government funding for C&V sector fell by 35%  C&V sector employment to fall to 36,638 by end 2015 Social Justice Ireland9

 Rural communities are fighting for survival.  The quality of life for rural dwellers and the sustainability of our rural communities is under threat.  Long-term strategies on infrastructure development, the national spatial imbalance, local access to public services, public transport and local involvement in core decision-making are urgently required so that rural communities can survive.  Rural communities must be given the opportunity to become involved in the decision-making process through deliberative democracy. Social Justice Ireland10

 Growth is good in itself  Economic growth will trickle down  EU style services with US tax levels  Growing poverty/inequality doesn’t matter  Low tax is good  Reducing tax rates increases tax-take  Local community is not a priority  Involving local people is just a pain  Ireland has a lot to teach the world on economics! Social Justice Ireland11

Failure to:  Broaden the tax base  Promote tax equity  Regulate banks  Overcome infrastructure deficiencies  Adequately address high energy costs  Address high Local Authority business charges  Promote competition in sheltered sectors Social Justice Ireland12

 “Without a vision the people perish” Ireland should be guided by the core values of:  Human dignity  Sustainability  Equality and human rights  The common Good. Social Justice Ireland13

A just society is one where  human rights are respected,  human dignity is protected,  human development is facilitated and  the environment is respected and protected. Social Justice Ireland14

 Put balanced development at the core of decision-making in all policy arenas  Diversify rural economies  Tackle long-term unemployment  Focus on Rural development (as distinct from agricultural development)  Involve people through a process of deliberative democracy  Support the Community and Voluntary Sector  ACT ACT ACT Social Justice Ireland15

 Agriculture, forestry and fishing account for only 82,500 people classified as employed (CSO).  Farming accounts for just one quarter of rural labour force.  Rural communities need opportunities and support to develop an economy where sustainable agriculture is supported in conjunction with much needed alternatives.  Government policies must also support rural entrepreneurs and small rural firms to create jobs.  Access to sustainable, integrated transport and reliable high-speed broadband must be given priority. Social Justice Ireland16

 Part-Time Job Opportunities programme ◦ Would create 100,000 part-time jobs for long-term unemployed; ◦ Paid the going hourly rate; ◦ Voluntary; ◦ Participants work the number of hours to earn their social welfare payment and a small top-up; ◦ Jobs in the public sector and community and voluntary sector; ◦ Participants would be allowed to take up other paid employment in their spare time without losing benefits and liable to tax in the normal way. ◦ Piloted 1994, mainstreamed Social Justice Ireland17

 3 priorities of rural development in Ireland: o Improve the competitiveness of the agriculture sector. o Improve the environment and the countryside. o Improve the quality of live in rural areas and encourage diversification of economic activity. (CAP Rural Development Programme )  Rural development is NOT agricultural development.  Rural development is about improving the quality of life for rural dwellers and supporting sustainable rural communities. Social Justice Ireland18

 The main issues identified with contributing to rural deprivation and depopulation: ◦ Access to secure and meaningful employment; ◦ Availability of public transport ◦ Access to quality, affordable childcare ◦ Lack of public services of scale and quality  These areas must be given priority Social Justice Ireland19

◦ A process for engaging all stakeholders ◦ Discussing evidence ◦ Without power differentials in play ◦ The Council of Europe’s new Charter on Shared Social Responsibility ◦ Agreed: November 2011 ◦ Government currently planning alignment of local government and local development – should use this process as its basic building block. Social Justice Ireland20

 Must get away from voodoo economics  Ireland needs a national debate on its future – both local and national - and the development of an effective strategy for moving forward.  An effective strategy requires: ◦ An accurate analysis of the present situation ◦ A vision that will inspire and guide policy towards building a society that is just and fair for all; and ◦ Realistic policies to move Ireland towards such a future Social Justice Ireland21

“The future of humanity lies in the hands of those who are strong enough to provide coming generations with reasons for living and hoping” - Gaudium et Spes Social Justice Ireland22