Adequate Income

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Raise Awareness of the Impact of Poverty in an Affluent Ireland

As a result of working with people in disadvantaged communities, the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice is very aware of the struggle of people on low income to live with dignity. Since 2000 the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice has undertaken a number of studies to raise awareness of the daily reality of living on a low income.

The aim of these studies is to:

  1. Make available detailed information on the actual cost of a minimum essential standard of living for 6 household types
  2. Provide the foundations for a national database for minimum essential budget standards, which can be developed and modified for application to different family types.
  3. Lobby for a more adequate level of income for people in receipt of social welfare payments and the minimum wage.

Since 2000 the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice has undertaken the following studies:

  • One Long Struggle - A Study of Low Income Families, 2001
  • Low Cost but Acceptable Budgets for Three Households, 2004
  • Minimum Essential Budgets for Six Households, 2006.
  • The 2006 figures have been updated. It is intended to update the figures on an annual basis as a resource for the SVP and of other agencies committed to the eradication of poverty.
  • The launch of each study was attended by politicians, civil servants, policy makers and members of N.G.O.s. Members of the Focus Groups were interviewed by T.V., RTE Radio and the printed media.
  • The new website containing the updated figures launched- www.budgeting.ie
  • In 2007 the V.P.S.J. was invited by EAPN to contribute to an EU project on minimum Social Standards
    Commissioned a study of Young Mothers – a study of young single mothers in two communities, 2000
    Facilitated two Active Citizenship Groups to produce the following
    • “Crumbs from the Celtic Tiger” 1998,
    • “The Cost of Keeping on Their Feet” 1999
    • “The Drug Problem in Ballyfermot” 2000 - The Cherry Orchard Active Citizenship Group

Road Safety and Wheelchair Access Advocacy Position Papers presented by the Killinarden Family Resource Centre Active Citizenship Group.

Further information visit our website www.budgeting.ie