Summary Overview

Ireland has experienced profound demographic, economic, social, and environmental changes over the last twenty years which have impacted on the well-being of its citizens and society as a whole. Despite mainly overall positive trends, social deficits have remained for a significant minority of people. The key trends are summarised as follows.

Demographically Ireland has become a much more diverse country. Population

levels were at their highest in 2006 since 1861. In 2006, births continued to exceed deaths, but it was in relation to immigration where there were the largest changes. Some 11 per cent of the population in 2006 were non-Irish nationals deriving from 188 different countries. The majority of immigrants came to Ireland to work. They were spread throughout the country with concentrations in the larger cities, especially Dublin and its hinterlands. Population growth in the state was not evenly spread so that some parts of the east were experiencing congestion in relation to services while some inner city and rural areas were losing population.

In relation to economic resources incomes in Ireland grew substantially from the mid 1980s to the mid 2000s. Incomes rose with the availability of jobs and dual earner households. Social welfare incomes also increased. Income inequality remained relatively high with some evidence of a widening gap at the very top end. The proportion of people experiencing low income and deprivation fell, but levels of income poverty remained relatively high. Some population groups had high levels of consistent poverty – lone parents, the unemployed and people who were ill or disabled. Associated issues were the number of people who were in paid employment who were at risk of poverty (the ‘working poor’) and the high level of debt among some groups in the population, especially households with children, and lone parents in particular. The economic recession is likely to accentuate these problems.

Participation in work and education is important for well-being, with

unemployment being one of the most damaging influences on individual and societal well-being. Unemployment plummeted to an all-time low in 2001 and employment grew, largely driven by an increase in women’s participation, and then through immigration. Because of the strong negative impact of unemployment on individual, family and community well-being, the economic recession and the large numbers of people who have recently become unemployed are of immediate concern. The increasing participation of women in the work force and congestion in certain parts of the country raised concerns about work/life balance. While, on the whole, a high level of work satisfaction was reported, there was some evidence

of stress points, especially for women who had high levels of ‘committed time’ in their work and family lives. The most stressful situation however, was loss of a job. Educationally, Ireland became much more qualified with 29 per cent of the population (15-64) holding a third level qualification in 2008. Despite this progress, more than 10 per cent of our young people still left school early, with low literacy levels remaining an issue among sections of the population.

Intimate and stable relationships are central to an individual’s well-being, while the disruption of relationships through marital or relationship breakdown, or bereavement, is detrimental for the well-being of individuals and for children. Household and family structures in Ireland have become much more diverse and complex. There was evidence of stability in relationships with a growth in marriage, including second marriages, and in cohabitation. There was a reduction in the number of children per household as families became smaller. Separation and divorce increased, albeit from a relatively low base. Lone parents and older people living alone make up substantial proportions of our households. These household types are vulnerable to poverty, social isolation and loneliness. Being widowed and not being in paid employment are strong predictors of loneliness, which can impact negatively on mental health and well-being. An important relationship issue is the provision of care for both care giver and care receiver. Much care in Ireland is provided on an unpaid basis by family members to other family members, relatives or friends who require care because of disability, old age or long-term illness. The importance of care and its impact on the well-being of both individuals and wider society needs to be more widely recognised and valued.

The community and environment within which people live have an important

bearing on an individual’s well-being. Central to this is for people to have affordable accommodation of good quality in a sustainable community and good environment – ‘a place they can call home’. The economic boom years saw dramatic increases in the availability of private houses, and in their prices. That situation is now changing with a sharp reduction in construction. The situation was more difficult for those in the public and private rental markets. The limited availability of local authority housing failed to meet needs and local authority waiting lists grew during the economic boom years. The private rental market was particularly affected by high rents, which impacted on people’s access to private rented property, in many cases making private renters dependent on state supports. An immediate priority is the provision of social and affordable housing in sustainable and integrated communities to meet current and anticipated housing needs. Throughout Ireland most people report that they can get help from their neighbours if they need it. Volunteering and community participation does not seem to be in decline, with one in six of the adult population taking part in voluntary activities. Environmental issues have gained a higher profile recently amid increased concerns of global warming and climate change. Ireland still has some way to go to meet agreed Kyoto targets on greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing car use has contributed to our increasing emissions as well as increased journey times and congestion.

Health is important for individual and societal well-being. In line with western societies generally, longevity is increasing in Ireland with men now living, on average, beyond their mid 70s and women into their early 80s. However, longer life expectancy is associated with higher levels of chronic illness. Nevertheless, the majority of people perceived their health to be good, although people’s perception of, and experience of, access to healthcare services in Ireland was on the whole below the European average. Levels of psychological stress declined during the Celtic Tiger years, but may see an increase in a period of economic recession. Positive mental health (‘flourishing’) is associated with having access to a job, an adequate income, a good education, and having close supportive relationships. However, there is a strong association between mental disorder and risk factors for chronic diseases such as smoking, reduced activity and poor diet. Physical activity levels increased over the last twenty years, having a beneficial effect on our health and well-being. In relation to diet, we have increased our intake of fruit and vegetables, but consume high levels of fat, sugar and salt. Between one-half to two-thirds of Irish adults can now be classified as overweight or obese, with potential health problems associated with being overweight. Nearly one-third of us continued to smoke, and we have high rates of alcohol consumption compared to EU averages. Differences were observed across population groupings: people with lower levels of education, low income and in unskilled occupations were more likely to have poorer levels of health, less access to treatments and services and to report higher risk factors in relation to health and well-being. Health behaviours are influenced by a wide range of socio-economic and cultural factors.

The operation of democracy and values of citizenship are central to people’s well-being. This domain of well-being encompasses the quality of government, involvement in democratic society, the absence of violence, the exercise of rights and equality safeguards, and the expression of cultural identity. Surveys showed a declining level of trust in national institutions and a decline in voter turn-out. A key element of well-being is having a sense of purpose or belief. Irish people report a relatively high sense of fulfilment in life; but poor health, unemployment, low income, and not having a partner diminishes the likelihood of having a fulfilled life. At an all-island level one of the most significant developments in the last fifteen years has been the achievement of peace and stronger relationships between Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, at national level there was an increase in recorded crime. In relation to the realisation of citizen’s rights, despite Ireland having had a progressive rights and equality infrastructure, women remained under-represented in national, regional and local decision-making structures, but made some progress in reducing the gender pay gap. With regard to the expression of cultural identity, people of non-Irish, non-white ethnic background experienced higher levels of discrimination than the native Irish population.

In conclusion, Ireland became a much better place from the mid 1980s to the mid 2000s across a range of well-being indicators. Despite these positive developments for the majority of the population, social deficits remained for a substantial minority. Many of the positive aspects are now changing as Ireland feels the impact of downturns in both the national and global economies. In the aftermath of a period of strong economic growth and social progress, weaknesses and vulnerabilities remain to be addressed. These will be explored further in relation to the well-being of children, people of working age, older people and people with disabilities in Part IV, Volume II of this report. In these more difficult times we need to minimise, as far as possible, substantial deterioration in people’s current situation by ensuring the social infrastructure built up on the last number of years is not dismantled.

part iii