ELECTIVE Employment Flashcards
Poverty
If their income and resources are so inadequate as to preclude them from having a standard of living which is regarded as acceptable by Irish society generally
193,000 children are in poverty 2020
637,000 people 2020
Types of poverty
Absolute
Relative
Absolute poverty
People are severely deprived of basic human needs eg food
People struggle to stay alive
Common in developing countries, in Ireland some homeless people may be in absolute poverty
Relative poverty
A persons income is less than what is needed to maintain the general standard of living expected in the society that they live in
Varies from country to country
May be excluded from normal society
Income poverty
Occurs when people are living below the poverty line
Generally have a poor standard of living
Poverty line
Estimated minimum level of income necessary to maintain a basic standard of living
Varies from country to country
Ireland’s poverty line salary is 60% of the median income of the population
886,000 are at risk of poverty
Depravation
Occurs when people fail to own items or carry out activities which are considered to be basic necessities in society
Measured using a deprivation index which contains a list of items and activities eg being unable to afford two pairs of strong shoes, a warm waterproof coat
Groups within Irish society who are at risk of poverty
Early school leavers Older people aged 66+ One parent families Migrants Children People with illnesses, disabilities, special needs
Causes of poverty
Increased cost of housing
Family type: large families have higher costs, one parent families have one income
Economic recession and unemployment
Social problems: drugs, alcohol
Lack of education: more likely to be unemployed or in low paid jobs
Social policy and the poverty trap
Social welfare payments can perpetuate poverty as they can sometimes be more financially rewarding than wages
Some people choose to stay on welfare
This is the poverty trap
Effects of poverty
Debt Depression and destructive habits Social isolation Relationship problems Decline in standard of living Educational disadvantage
IDA Ireland
industrial development agency
encourages FDI in urban and rural areas
provides support and advice to potential investors
grants
how education leads to greater employment opportunites
leaving cert is the minimum requirement
additional qualifications needed for promotion/high paid jobs
legislation to protect workers
national minimum wage agreement:
sets out the minimum wage to be paid to workers for a fair days work
safety, health and welfare at work act 2005:
prevents injury and ill health
employment equality acts 1998-2015
cycle of poverty
children growing up in poverty are more likely to be poor when they’re older
less likely to have access to opportunities eg educational resources
can lead to:
-dropping out of school
-low paid jobs
-marrying early and having children young
when they have children, cycle continues
tends to be focused on geographical locations eg inner city areas, large social housing estates
