ESRI seeks new ways to measure consistent poverty
The Economic and Social Research Institute is calling for a revision of the system used to measure "consistent poverty" in Ireland.
At present, Ireland uses income and a number of other indicators to measure poverty, including whether a person owns more than one pair of strong shoes or can afford to eat a roast at least once a week.
Under this system, almost 7% of Irish people were ranked as consistently poor last year.
The ESRI is now calling for a change in the way poverty is measured that would see the list of indicators increased from eight to 11, with a person not defined as consistently poor until they qualify under more headings.
The new headings include measures of individual isolation and social interaction such as whether a person is able to have friends or family around for a drink or a meal at least once a month.
The think tank also wants the Government to abandon the indicator that ranks a person as poor if they experience debt problems arising from ordinary living expenses.
Reports yesterday said the ESRI's proposed changes would see Ireland's official poverty figures fall from 270,000 to 200,000 overnight.
