Support for action to reduce income inequality

New Findings from ESRI and Community Foundation Ireland

Ireland has experienced significant economic and social changes over the past three decades, yet public support for government action to reduce income inequality has remained consistently high and is above the European average. This is according to a new study from the ESRI, conducted in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland.

Other key findings include:

· Support for reducing income inequality is stronger among women, younger people, those in a worse financial situation and the working class. However, political ideology and perceptions of fairness are also influential factors.

· Those who lost their jobs or had their income reduced during the pandemic also show higher support for reducing income inequality.

· There is a higher level of support for government spending on older people and childcare for working families than there is for those who are unemployed. The same pattern is observed in most European countries but, in Ireland, the gaps between these three groups are significantly smaller.

· Although 64 per cent of the population believe that ‘social benefits help prevent poverty’, further analysis indicates that this view was temporarily weakened after the launch of a government media campaign on welfare fraud during the 2017 data collection period.

· There is willingness to pay for the welfare state. Although 35 per cent indicated that taxes in Ireland are too high, 25 per cent think that taxes should stay at the same level, 34 per cent indicated they would agree with higher taxes if it meant more or better public services. This is the sixth highest percentage among 27 countries in Europe.

Dr Daniel Capistrano, researcher at the ESRI and co-author of the report, said:

“This report shows a solid social support for enhancing the welfare state in Ireland. Policymakers have a favourable environment to design and implement policies that meet the demands for better distribution of income, opportunities and living conditions in Ireland.”

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland a partner on the research, added:

The study shows that even in times of challenge and complexities, there is a sense of fairness and support for equality within our society. Something all of us should be proud of.

These important findings will inform our future work as a philanthropic hub with an equality mission, as well as our 5,000 community, voluntary and charitable partners.”

ENDS

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