Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One of the criticisms of the current national risk assessment is that it does not adequately provide for poverty-related risks and includes an inadequate analysis regarding social exclusion. Of particular relevance today is the criticism that forced displacement does not feature as a risk. It is mentioned only fleetingly in the analysis. Social Justice Ireland has observed that forced displacement, whether due to conflict or climate change, presents a serious risk for all countries.

Poverty, too, is dealt with only briefly and is certainly not acknowledged as a risk. It is a genuine risk. Over 11% of the population live in poverty, more than 160,000 of whom are children. If the Government agrees with Social Justice Ireland’s analysis that a thriving economy is not a goal in itself but a means to social development and well-being for all, surely the significant risks of poverty in Ireland should be given greater consideration.

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