Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I am bamboozled. Economics is not my best point. It never was and it becomes even more complicated when one hears Professor Callan outline the different outcomes from the different questions being asked. Does the ESRI's analysis take into account public services in different countries? Other countries provide public services that Ireland does not, which has an impact on those at the lower end who are obliged to pay for these services. Similarly, does it take into account increases in the cost of living, the price of fuel and so on and how they have an impact on it? Does it take in sections of society such as the under-25s? For example, the other day I met a young lad who was in receipt of social welfare benefits and was under 25 years. He is in receipt of the lowest rate of jobseeker's allowance and as it is impossible to live on it - in terms of paying rent and trying to get anywhere - his independence is completely gone. It has that impact.

As for migrant groups, a report was published yesterday on the challenges facing migrants in accessing community welfare services. According to the report, they are not receiving these services. Does the ESRI's analysis break down matters in that way? All of the reports one reads point to growing inequality in favour of the highest percentile of the population globally. Moreover, the numbers in the lowest percentage groups, those on low wages or welfare, are also growing in this regard.