CHILDREN EXPERIENCE the worst outcomes in relation to poverty and deprivation because lone-parent households and those with large numbers of children are the most vulnerable to becoming dependent on social welfare.
That is the conclusion of a report published today by the ESRI, which explores the impact of poverty at different stages of people's lives. The Life Cycle Perspective on Social Inclusion in Ireland, by Prof Christopher T Whelan and Bertrand Maître, uses 11 different sets of "lenses" to view the impact of poverty based on information such as age, marital status and presence of children.
This "life cycle" approach to viewing poverty was adopted in the national partnership process to better meet the needs of those at risk of poverty through planning and delivery of improved public services.
The research shows welfare dependency has the biggest impact on children, because other at-risk groups, like older people, can draw on other financial resources. Children in poverty, however, are more likely to be rooted in highly-deprived families, such as lone-parent households.
The latest official figures show 11 per cent of children experience consistent poverty, where they are deprived of essentials such as winter clothing or proper meals. A total of 20 per cent of children are "at risk" of poverty.
In contrast, adults under-50, living with a partner and without children, are the most advantaged group and are the best insulated against poverty. Other groups of working-age adults are at a much greater risk of poverty, such as lone parents and those living alone.
The picture for many older people is positive. Older people aged 65-plus and living with a partner are significantly below average levels of consistent poverty, the report shows. They report low levels of economic stress, but have a high probability of reporting health problems.
However, older people living alone are less well-placed than other older groups and are much more likely to be deprived, or at risk of poverty.
Overall, the report says these life-cycle perspectives draw attention to the multi-dimensional nature of social exclusion.
There are major differences in the extent of poverty among different groups when issues such as low levels of education and unemployment are factored in.
The main objective of the new study was to develop an understanding of the role that life-cycle factors play in shaping patterns of poverty and social exclusion in contemporary Irish society.
It says the ability of policy-makers to further develop the potential of this life-cycle perspective will be greatly enhanced by major studies such as the Growing Up in Ireland study and The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.
A National Economic and Social Council report in 2005 on the developmental welfare state first drew attention to the need for policymakers to recognise the varying needs and expectations of individuals at different life stages.
It has called for new thinking in relation to income supports and public services at different life stages, and for the development of tailored support.
