The Social Consequences of the McCarthy Report Cannot be Ignored

In a statement, the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership noted the potential devastating consequences of the implementation of the recommendations of the McCarthy Report for people who are most vulnerable in our society, whom the Pillar represents.  The Pillar called for an urgent socio-economic analysis of this impact.

The Pillar noted that 'those who are vulnerable in our society are already experiencing, to an unacceptable extent, the consequences of cuts in expenditure and tax increases to date.  Noting a point made in a recent ForFás Report entitled 'Shaping our Future', that 'Tomorrow's problems are developing today', and that 'the near future must be an integral part of current decision making', the Pillar stated that 'the social consequences of implementing the McCarthy Report are potentially devastating and the economic costs arising will be felt for decades to come if an anti-poverty approach is not adopted.'

While acknowledging that Government has to make 'difficult choices' in the face of current challenges, the Pillar is unequivocal  that 'those who are most vulnerable in Irish society, the long term unemployed, the working poor, disabled people, the elderly, and vulnerable children, are not sacrificed to budget stabilisation measures.'

The Pillar represents the interests of significant segments of the Irish population, ranging across the lifecycle from children to those of working age, to older people, and to people with disabilities.  Many of these were vulnerable before the present crisis.  Many more are vulnerable as a result of the crisis.

The Pillar welcomed the decision of the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D., to refer the Report to the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and Public Services, before the Budget in December.   The Committee's deliberations 'will be crucial in ensuring that long term damage to already suffering communities is avoided.  The Pillar is seeking an early meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss its concerns.

The Pillar notes, in making its choices Government needs to be informed of the consequences of its actions through the development of an economic and social analysis of the impact of any proposed cuts, and those that have already taken place, and take a considered decision on how the vulnerable can be protected through the expenditure and income decisions that it makes in the coming months.

The Community and Voluntary Pillar Members are:

Age Action Ireland
Carers Association
Children's Rights Alliance
Community Platform
Congress Centres Network
CORI Justice
Disability Federation of Ireland
Irish Council for Social Housing
Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed
Irish Rural Link
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
National Association of Building Cooperatives
National Women's Council of Ireland
National Youth Council of Ireland
Protestant Aid
Society of St Vincent de Paul
The Wheel