Welcome steps have been taken in the Budget, but much remains to be done in coming years if Ireland's infrastructure and social provision deficits are to be eliminated, the CORI Justice Commission has said.
But the body said its calculations show the cumulative impact of the Government's last seven budgets had in fact widened the gap between rich and poor by €310 a week. CORI included pay increases and tax reductions as well as social welfare increases in its calculations.
In its analysis of Budget 2005, CORI welcomed the increase in the lowest social welfare rates, saying this would impact on the depth of poverty being experienced by 420,000 people where the head of household was outside the labour force.
"This increase takes a significant step towards honouring the Government's commitment to raise the lowest social welfare payments to 30 per cent of gross average industrial earnings by 2007," CORI said.
CORI also welcomed the increase in tax credits and "the growing realisation" that this approach holds the key to addressing the low income problems of the 175,000 "working poor".
The €900 million disability package announced by the Minister for Finance was also welcomed. CORI said this would provide extra services and go "some of the way" towards tackling the needs of people with disabilities.
The body also welcomed the increase in the five-year projected budget for social housing, the move towards addressing tax incentive reliefs and the new programme to support community and voluntary organisation.
CORI Justice Commission
However, CORI said there were a number of issues that could have been addressed and that the resources existed for them to be addressed.
The issues that were "not effectively tackled" included overseas development aid (ODA), rural transport and the environment, it said.
Overseas aid was Ireland's contribution to the poorest of the world and that the Government's decision not to honour Ireland's commitments in this area was "not acceptable".
"It is not a matter of choosing between the world's poorest people and Ireland's poorest. Both issues can and should be addressed comprehensively and simultaneously," the report said.
CORI also said the provision of rural transport was an issue closely linked to the exclusion experienced by many people in rural areas who live on low incomes.
"The budget provision in this area is very small. It could and should be substantially increased."
The body also said full medical card coverage for all vulnerable people in Ireland was needed, although it said the introduction of 30,000 new medical cards and 200,000 'doctor visit' only cards was "a small step in the right direction".