The number of people living on low incomes has dropped by a quarter since the first National Anti-Poverty Strategy (Naps), it was claimed today.
But the Combat Poverty Agency argued more work needs to be done as it marked the 10th anniversary of the Naps at a conference.
Campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy said life for those living in poverty was made more difficult by the increased wealth in wider Irish society.
"There may be fewer people living in poverty than there were 10 or 20 years ago, but that does not make it any easier for those who are poor," she said. "In fact, it makes it harder."
A new book, Welfare Policy and Poverty, published by the publicly funded Combat Poverty Agency said government policies had brought about a 25 per cent reduction in the number of people living below 50 per cent of the average income between 1998 and 2007.
The agency was today unable to provide more specific figures on the numbers of people in lower wages, but called for careful Government planning to ensure the improving trend continued.
Kevin O'Kelly, acting director of Combat Poverty, said: "One of the key findings of this book is that although successive governments have set objectives and targets to reduce poverty and social exclusion, these have often not been fully translated into policies or measures across all policy areas.
"To meet the national target of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016 all policies need to be clearly focused on delivering anti-poverty outcomes."
PA