SVP ask election candidates to support the introduction of a Poverty Reduction Act in next Dáil
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) will be asking the next Government to follow the example of Canada, Scotland and New Zealand and introduce a Poverty Reduction Act.
In its Election 2020 Priorities document entitled, “Investing in measures to end poverty” launched today, SVP says that the purpose of this Act would be to make the ambition of the Sustainable Development Goal of No Poverty (Goal 1) by 2030 legally binding.
Dr Tricia Keilthy, SVP Head of Social Justice said,
“With rising living costs, the housing crisis and a high number of people living on low incomes, our economy isn't working for everyone and many are being left behind. Currently, there are almost 700,000 people living below the poverty line.
However, this is not inevitable, and poverty eradication is possible, but it requires well designed policies, resources and political will. Enshrining commitments for poverty reduction into law would send a clear signal that the interests of those most marginalised in society are at the top of the national agenda.”
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