Report shows Ireland is among bottom four countries of 15 European nations on sustainable progress index.

Children are living in households which are going 24 hours without a substantial meal, or being cold because parents are unable to afford to heat the home.

“There has been a period when the state has retreated, or been ideologically pushed to retreat, or redefine its role, the citizen’s social opportunity to fully participate or flourish, as many social philosophers would put it, has been diminished.” President Higgins

Most people want to see reductions in healthcare waiting lists, increases in social housing provision and reliable high-speed broadband across rural Ireland. To achieve this means there should be no net tax cuts in Budget 2018 – Social Justice Ireland.

“A real republic will stand for social justice and for equality. Social Justice Ireland calls on leadership from all sectors of Irish society to become part of a debate on a new social contract for a new century,” said Dr Seán Healy.

Numbers living in poverty have increased by 120,000 since beginning of the recession, Social Justice Ireland highlights.

Widening the bands will benefit the better off, not those earning low incomes.

Social Justice Ireland criticises Government’s Medium-Term Economic Strategy.