Partnership talks hear call to tackle inequality

Ireland must address the growing inequalities within society to ensure all its members can live with dignity, new partnership talks in Dublin were told today.

In its opening submission to the talks, the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partners said a new partnership deal could provide an opportunity for Ireland to address its infrastructure and social provision problems.

Presenting the submission, the director of the Cori Justice Commission, Fr Sean Healy, acknowledged that Ireland had achieved huge economic and social progress in recent years.

However, he said creating wealth should not be seen as an end in itself, rather as a means to an end, namely improving conditions for all members of society. He said Irish society still has many problems, including growing numbers of people at risk of poverty, a widening gap between rich and poor, rising illiteracy and insufficient social housing.

There is also huge inequality in health and education, growing social exclusion, growing job losses and above-average levels of long-term unemployment among some groups. In addition, some members of society are facing racism and discrimination.

"A national agreement cannot have credibility in the wider society if it fails to address situations such as the fact that almost one in every five people has an income equivalent to less than €200 a week," he said. "It is not possible for these people to live life with dignity on that level of income."

Fr Healy accepted that continuing ecomomic progress was essential for Ireland to be able to improve standards of living for all. He urged all the social partners to work together to ensure this is acheived. The challenges ahead include securing a future for older people, people with disabilities and children as well as for their carers, Fr Healy added.