1. Access to and adequate social welfare for all - Paul Ginnell

2. Working Group on access to an adequate social welfare for all
All Together in Dignity, Ireland
Disability Federation of Ireland
European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland
Focus Ireland
Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed
National Youth Council of Ireland
One Family
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice
Coordinated by EAPN Ireland

3. Importance of social welfare supports

4. Importance of social welfare supports
Ensuring people can remain active in society, reconnects people to the world of work
Helping to reduce inequality which benefits the whole of society. Evidence shows that more equal societies are more stable.
Supporting local economies. Social welfare payments are spent in local areas that are often disadvantaged.
Research tells us that the vast majority of people, who may not be employed, are better off in work and would prefer to be in work.

5. Importance of social welfare supports
Adequate income
A decent job for those who can work
Quality services

6. Social welfare lifts many people out of poverty

7. But currently not everyone is protected
Living below the Poverty Line
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More than780,000 people
And some groups in society have higher levels of poverty

8. Ensuring access to an adequate social welfare for all
ACCESS for all – Some issues for Ireland
Some groups excluded e.g. migration status – Asylum seekers and Habitual Residency Conditions
Many, especially women, can only access it via their partner/spouse as the head of household i.e. Qualifies Adult Payment.
Complicated system of means-testing: replace with more consistent and transparent system.
Information on entitlements
Working Family Payment has to be claimed.

9. Ensuring access to an adequate social welfare for all
Adequacy – Some issues for Ireland
Nothing to benchmark adequacy against
Depends on the real cost of services
Lower payments for many people on Jobseekers payment under 26 years of age
No recognition of the additional cost of disability
Jobseekers face conditions which if not met, even if unsuitable, result in payment cuts
Importance of secondary benefits and interaction with payments

10. Setting a benchmark for Adequacy – to live with dignity
The Government should raise all minimum welfare payments to a level which is adequate to:
lift people above the poverty line (i.e. 60% of middle (median) income)
and
provide them with a Minimum Essential Standard of Living (means that different household types can afford and have access to the goods and services they require in order to participate in society and have a decent quality of life.)

11. Setting a benchmark for Adequacy

12. Setting a benchmark for Adequacy
ii. provide them with a Minimum Essential Standard of Living?

13. Ensuring access to an adequate social welfare for all
A rights based system that treats everyone with respect and enables them to live with dignity