Jobseeker' Benefit inadequate to meet basic standard of living

[toxic avenger]

The Department of Social Protection commissoned a report by the Policy Institute at TCD, which says that people, especially families, who rely on Jobseeker's Benefit or who are on low income are not able to meet the minimum requirements of a basic standard of living.

The report found that in a household with two adults and two children with both adults working, for example, the minimum expenditure needed to achieve a basic standard of living was around €540 a week. The figure would be higher if the children were in secondary school.
This figure was then compared with the income of that household. The report found that those with low incomes or who were unemployed found it impossible to reach the €540 figure and were cutting back on basics to make ends meet.
Dr Michéal Collins, one of the authors of the report, said its findings would be a useful benchmark to assess the adequacy of welfare payments and the minimum wage.

Low-income families 'struggling' - The Irish Times - Mon, Feb 06, 2012

Different types of households were assessed, including a single person living alone, a two-parent household with two children and a pensioner couple.
In the case of a family where both parents are unemployed and dependent on jobseeker's benefit, most families have an inadequate income for a basic standard of living.
The findings suggest that in families where two parents with two children have one parent working full-time earning the minimum wage, that they are not meeting the basic standard of living.
Where one parent is working full-time and one part-time earning the minimum wage, their income is also inadequate for what is defined as a basic standard of living.

Jobseeker's Benefit inadequate - report - RT News

[Neutron]

Im guessing this isnt the outcome the Department were hoping for. Certainly has put the cat among the pigeons for future welfare cuts.

[mistercrabs]

On what planet do you need 540 euros a week to raise a family?!

[toxic avenger]

On what planet do you need 540 euros a week to raise a family?!

Do you have children?

[mistercrabs]

Do you have children?

No I don't. And I simply don't understand why you need more than 300 euros a week if you have two children. And if little Timmy wants a Playstation, tell him to go out and get a ************************************g job cleaning chimneys.

[gijoe]

On what planet do you need 540 euros a week to raise a family?!

The same planet where the right to take off to North African sunspots on the dole is a OK - not being able to afford Florida or the Seychelles must be some form of Human Rights abuse!

[damus]

This reiterates an earlier finding from the Commission on Social Welfare back in 1986 about the inadequacy of income levels. At that time the Commission recommended that the minimum adequate income for a single person who was dependant on social welfare should have been between £55-60 per week.

[CookieMonster]

The Department of Social Protection commissoned a report by the Policy Institute at TCD, which says that people, especially families, who rely on Jobseeker's Benefit or who are on low income are not able to meet the minimum requirements of a basic standard of living.


Low-income families 'struggling' - The Irish Times - Mon, Feb 06, 2012


Jobseeker's Benefit inadequate - report - RT News

It certainly seems to be the case.

I'd also content that, if this is the present situation (and from research it seems to be so) further cuts will have a detrimental impact on the social and educational outcomes of families who are in this situation, thus increasing the long term problems faced by them and the children within the families.

[Asparagus]

Yawn...

so the minimum wage, average industrial wage would be inadequate to meet basic standard living too especially in tha absence of rent allowances, christmas hampers and all the other boons bestowed on the unemployed.

[toxic avenger]

No I don't. And I simply don't understand why you need more than 300 euros a week if you have two children. And if little Timmy wants a Playstation, tell him to go out and get a ************************************g job cleaning chimneys.

Children need to be fed, clothed, and looked after in a myriad of ways that cost money. Then you have to pay rent/mortgage for a place big enough for a family of four. You have to pay utilities, various stealth taxes and fixed charges, etc.

I'd add that the study followed the UN's criteria for a basic standard of living, which covers the entire world, not just the pampered west.