1. 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

2. Introduction 2 main sources
European Social Policy Network
Claiming Our Future
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

3. 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

4. Poverty, Social Exclusion and Inequality in Ireland and EU
IRELAND
EUROPEAN UNION
2009
2014
At risk of poverty
all
children
15.0
16.5
17.8
19.3
At risk of poverty or social exclusion
25.7
23.3
31.5
26.2
Severe Material Deprivation
6.1
8.2
9.2
9.4
In-work poverty
5.7
11.0
Very low work intensity h’holds
20.0
Inequality
gini coeff.
S80/S20
28.8
30.6
4.2
4.9

5. Irish & EU15 Income poverty 2004-2015

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

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

8. 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
positive trend but now negative

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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, am – 3.30 pm, The Mansion House, Dublin 2
Register: