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POVERTY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
IRELAND’S EXPERIENCE
Gerry Mangan
Context
Ireland joined the European Union in
1973
 By the early 1990s average GDP was still
just 60% of the EU average
 1997- Ireland’s first ten year National
Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS)
 This incorporated a commitment to
Poverty Impact Assessment (PIA)

Poverty Impact Assessment in 1997
NAPS
“the question of the impact of poverty will
also be a key consideration when
decisions are being made about spending
priorities in the context of the national
budgetary process and the allocation of
EU Structural Funds”
Definition of PIA
“ a process by which government
departments, local authorities and State
agencies assess policies and programmes
at design, implementation and review
stages in relation to the likely impact that
they will have or have had on poverty and
on inequalities which are likely to lead to
poverty with a view to poverty
reduction”
PIA consolidation
1998 Requirement in Cabinet Handbook
that Memorandum for the Government
involving significant policy proposals
‘indicate clearly the impact of the
proposal on groups in poverty or at risk
of falling into poverty’
 1998 Department of Social and Family
Affairs issue first guidelines on poverty
proofing

Key elements of a PIA
•
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Definition of policy aims and targets
Formal consultation
Assessment of the impacts and
consideration of alternatives
Decision making and monitoring
Impacts and difficulties

Key impact has been raising awareness of
poverty among policymakers and other
stakeholders

Difficulty in trying to distinguish the actual
impact PIA had on policy from other
factors
Issues for the future
Need for a detailed assessment of the
impact of virtually all policy areas on
poverty
 Further significant development and
resources in rolling out PIA
