In the twenty years since its foundation, Ireland's unemployment level has fallen from 17 per cent to 4.4 per cent the director of the Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) said today.
Helen Johnston said twenty years ago 28,000 people were emigrating every year and 16 per cent of the population were living in consistent poverty. Today, 50,000 people a year are coming to live in the State.
"The environment in which the CPA now operates has improved significantly, but working to eliminate poverty in Ireland remains just as challenging today as it was in 1986," Ms Johnston said.
To mark its anniversary the CPA have put in place a series of events, including two photo exhibitions depicting poverty in Ireland over the last two decades.
"We have been the catalyst for piloting, supporting and evaluating initiatives which have been 'mainstreamed' including the community development support programme, support for National Anti-Poverty Networks approaches for tackling educational disadvantage and promoting social inclusion among local authorities," Ms Johnston added.
"The extensive research we have conducted and our analysis of poverty in Ireland has established our credentials as an evidence based organisation with a successful track record for providing independent advice to successive governments."
The CPA now employs a staff of 30 people and has an annual budget of €5 million.
