Poor and marginalised increasingly silenced as impact of recession takes hold
Poor and marginalised increasingly silenced as impact of recession takes hold
Thursday, 1st July 2010: The voice of the poor and the marginalised has been largely silenced in the current recession as – unlike most other groups in society – they have no powerful interest groups to represent them, according to Philip O’Connor, Chairperson of the European Anti Poverty Network Ireland.
“The over 14% of Irish people living in poverty and those who are increasingly drifting into long term unemployment have few advocates and little power. The infrastructure of services and organisations supporting people in poverty is fragile and over-burdened. Despite that fragility, the infrastructure that does exist has been seriously diminished by disproportionate cuts to vital community supports,” said Mr. O’Connor.
Mr. O’Connor made his remarks at a launch of a book commemorating twenty years of the European Anti Poverty Network Ireland. The new book, Ireland and the European Social Inclusion Strategy: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead, reflects on the substantial progress made in tackling poverty and social exclusion in Ireland over that period, while also acknowledging that even at the height of Ireland’s economic success, there remained very significant problems for people at risk of poverty including access to services, increased income inequality and access to the labour market. The book also sets out a vision for a European Union that serves people and society ahead of powerful economic lobby groups.
Thirteen expert contributors – including representatives from civil society, academia, politics, and the civil service – assess the impact of the European Social Inclusion Strategy in Ireland – in which Ireland was once to the fore – and set out a roadmap for how European policy can be leveraged to tackle poverty at national level, leading to a fairer and more equal society.
Welcoming newly appointed Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey TD – who launched the book – Mr. O’Connor encouraged the Minister to take stock of the many positive initiatives and policies that were implemented by successive governments over the last decade.
“It is important to recognise that while many issues were unresolved at the outset of the recession; considerable progress was made in tackling poverty and social exclusion in this country through imaginative and effective policies. That progress did not happen in a vacuum, but as a result of genuine dialogue and partnership between the government, civil society and marginalised individuals and groups. It is also important to remember – as this book attests – that two decades of progress in tackling poverty began in the eighties, a period in which we faced challenges just as serious as those today. That proves that it is not just a question of money, but rather of political commitment to the poorest in society,” said Mr. O’Connor.
Note to editors:
- Ireland and the European Social Inclusion Strategy: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead will be launched by Pat Carey TD, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs at Wynn’s Hotel, Lower Abbey Street, at 5pm on 1st July 2010. All welcome.
- Speakers will include Minister Carey (Irish Government), Philip O’Connor (Chairperson EAPN Ireland), and Fintan Farrell (Director of EAPN Europe).
- Copies of the book are available from EAPN Ireland of from www.eapn.ie
For more information or to arrange interviews contact:
Paul Ginnell
Policy and Support Officer
European Anti Poverty Network Ireland
(01) 874 5737 / 087 640 2200
Tags: EAPN Ireland book launch, voice of poor people not being heard
