There is plenty of evidence to show that a job is the best cure for social deprivation. The economic boom that ushered in the so-called "Celtic Tiger" transformed the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Irish people and lifted them out of poverty. And while the boom years have passed, solid economic growth has continued with an estimated 60,000 jobs being created last year. In spite of that, however, there are clearly identified groups that need special help from the Government.
Two reports, published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) within the past week, quantified the problems that persist across the State and recognised the considerable advances that have been made in reducing "relative levels of poverty", computed at 60 per cent of the average wage. From a position where nearly one-third of the population came from this "vulnerable class" in 1994, the figure had fallen to one-in-nine by 2001. The position of these 400,000 people would, the ESRI found, be put at serious risk if a downturn in the economy occurred.
In bad times, ordinary citizens are expected to tighten their belts. And low-income people suffered particularly in that regard in the late 1980s when the government slashed social spending programmes and closed hospital beds in its struggle to get the public finances into order. When the good times rolled, however, they did not benefit as much as wealthier citizens from the boom. "Consistent" levels of poverty - meaning being unable to buy a warm coat, have a hot meal every day and own a second pair of shoes - did, indeed, fall precipitously. But for those who could not find work through age, illness or other factors, life remained bleak.
The ESRI found that, within this group, a rising tide had not lifted all boats equally. The ill and the disabled were more disadvantaged than the unemployed. Lone parents and old people living alone and on State pensions experienced high rates of consistent poverty and deprivation. Key poverty factors were: unemployment, old age, illness, lone parenthood and low levels of education.
As it prepares spending estimates for 2006 the Government should pay particular attention to these reports. They reflect the needs of a largely-forgotten group of people, especially the elderly, the ill and the disabled. Preliminary steps have been taken in Dublin, through area-based initiatives, to break this cycle of poverty for the long-term unemployed, for former drug users, early school leavers and ex-prisoners. But much more needs to be done. And family support schemes need to be restructured within the Department of Social Welfare.