Sir, - Your Editorial of July 31st, "Poverty and Inequality", goes a long way towards highlighting the contrasts between individual wealth and public wealth that exist in this country.
While the extraordinary level of economic and employment growth in recent years has affected poverty and social exclusion, economic growth is not an end in itself. As we set out in our annual report for 2000, and as outlined in your Editorial, a country as wealthy as Ireland can aim for growth that achieves more equal social outcomes and that enables people to participate fully in society.
We value this insightful Editorial and your continued and consistent coverage of issues of poverty and marginalisation. There are a few minor points, however, to which I would like to draw your attention. Firstly, Ireland has one of the highest levels of child poverty in the EU and is not, as stated, the country with the highest level of child poverty in the EU. Secondly, it is at age 65 that Irish men and women have the worst life expectancy in the EU. - Yours etc.,
Helen Johnston, Director, Combat Poverty Agency, Islandbridge, Dublin 8.