There has been a major breakthrough on income adequacy but much more sould be done to tackle both the causes and the consequences of poverty, the Conference of Religious in Ireland (CORI).
In response to the launch of the 2002 review of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS), Building and Inclusive Society, CORI spokesperson Fr Sean Healy, criticised the government for being to "vague and very general" in many areas saying "it leaves a great deal to be decided in coming years."
He said he was concerned the issue of low-pay was not addressed in the review. He also expressed his disappointment that no commitment was made to make tax credits refundable helping benefits of tax reductions go to those with low incomes.
However, he welcomed the issue of income adequacy saying, "for the first time ever Government has decided to benchmark the lowest social welfare rates at 30 per cent of gross average income ... We give a big welcome to this target. It is a major breakthrough in social, economic and philosophical terms."
Meanwhile the Labour party president, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, called the plan "a pre-election cosmetic exercise" and said "EU statistics show the Government's real 'achievement' has been to drive down anti-poverty spending".
Ms Gráinne Healy, Chairwoman of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, welcomed the government’s target to eliminate consistent poverty for women but explained that as poverty in Ireland has decreased, women and children have been left behind.
"The Government’s rejection of a target to reduce income inequalities in Ireland raises serious questions about the commitment of Government to tackle women¹s poverty"' she said.
"The Strategy is entirely devoid of a genuine gender analysis," she concluded.
