National Social Target for Poverty Reduction

Policy Briefing on the Review of the National Poverty Target

Reducing and ultimately eliminating poverty is a fundamental aspiration of Irish society and is a commitment of this Government. As part of a review of the poverty target 2007-2016, the Government has decided to revise and enhance the target to meet its commitments in the Programme for Government and the National Reform Programme for the Europe 2020 Strategy.  The re-named ‘national social target for poverty reduction’ is to reduce consistent poverty to 4 per cent by 2016 (interim target) and to 2 per cent or less by 2020, from a 2010 baseline of 6.2 per cent. Ireland’s contribution to the EU poverty target under Europe 2020 is to lift a minimum of 200,000 people out of the risk of poverty or exclusion by 2020, from a 2010 baseline. In addition, new sub-targets for reducing poverty among children and jobless households will be set, additional indicators will be used to monitor progress towards the target and the monitoring and implementation of the target will be strengthened.