Food poverty in Ireland is to be examined by the Social Inclusion Roadmap steering group, according to Green Party Minister Joe O’Brien.

The Minister of State with responsibility for social inclusion, community development and charities has welcomed the launch of the Social Inclusion Roadmap steering group recently.

The group aims to reduce the number of people in “consistent poverty in Ireland to 2% or less, increase social inclusion for people who are most disadvantaged, and make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the EU”.

‘Principles of just transition and climate justice need to guide this roadmap’

As chair of the group, Minister O’Brien outlined the government’s “commitment to tackling social inclusion” in its opening meeting, which was held virtually last week.

“The Programme for Government is committed to implementing the Social Inclusion Roadmap and, as we continue to face the many challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the government will build to improve outcomes for individuals and families who are struggling on low incomes,” he said.

“I will also be asking the steering group to examine the issue of food poverty.”

He added that the context has changed considerably since the roadmap was published in January, not just in the context of Covid-19, but also a new Programme for Government with additional commitments in the area of social inclusion.

The principles of just transition and climate justice need to guide this roadmap and its development as a live document.

He also spoke of the need for a “concerted effort across government to achieve significant reductions in poverty rates and to increase peoples’ access to resources and services”.

He acknowledged the scale of the challenge, stating that “the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in significant societal changes affecting the daily lives of everyone, as well as dramatic changes in employment levels”.

‘A sudden and unexpected rise in food prices would have a disproportionate impact’

Meanwhile, speaking in the Dáil recently, Social Democrats spokesperson for international affairs Cian O’Callaghan warned that a no-deal Brexit will have a disproportionate impact on low income households and has called on the government to poverty-proof its plan.

Deputy O’Callaghan said:

“The government needs to put additional protections in place for low income households who will be hit hardest in the event of a no trade deal Brexit.

Those on low incomes spend most of their money on food, rent and utilities. A sudden and unexpected rise in food prices in the event of no trade deal would have a disproportionate impact on those households.

“Many will simply be unable to absorb such a sudden shock. Those who are already at risk of poverty will suffer most. We cannot allow this to happen.”

The deputy said that the Brexit bill before the Dáil does “nothing to protect low income households in the event of sudden food price increases”.