Community Platform: Four tests for the next government

Published: Saturday, February 13, 2016

The Community Platform is a network of 28 of the main national organisations working to address poverty, social exclusion, and inequality. 

The Community Platform presents these four tests of the seriousness of the next Government in addressing the causes and consequences of poverty, social exclusion and inequality in Ireland in its Programme for Government and in its implementation over the next five years.  Achieving these tests would move Ireland closer to achieving the Goals it committed itself to in September 2015 under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

These tests reflect the analysis presented in 2015 in the Future Perspectives of the Community Platform which describes the impact of the economic and social crisis, and the policies to address it, on the most marginalised in our society. It proposes a detailed set of policy priorities and changes to structures that are needed in orderto bring about a more inclusive, sustainable and equal Ireland.

Test 1: Will the Government redistribute income towards the poorest 20% of the population?

Test 2: Will the Government strengthen access to quality employment?

Test 3: Will the Government restore and strengthen public services which are of particular importance to people on low income?

Test 4: Will the Government support mechanisms to ensure that all areas of policy and decisions work to reduce poverty and inequality?